
Class 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 



/ 




ALBANYS 





BI-CENTENNIAL 



i| CHRONICLE 



OK 



Local Events, 



I 



6801 



OF THE PAST 

200 YEARS, 




En^bracing Il|any 

ILLUSTRpONS 

of Albany 



I 



886! 



In Y^ 

OLDEN Tip, 



South Broadway, 1805. 



ILLUSTRATED. 

Compiled by A. 0. SPKISGER, Albany, N. T. 




Price 20 Cents. 



COMPLI31EIiTS OF 



W See Page 
Copyrighted, 1886, by A. 0. SprWger. 







ARE YOU INSURED? 








G. A. VAU ALLEIT, Preadent 



C. p. WILLIAMS, 



Vice-President. 





R. V. DE WITT, 



Secretary. 




C. P. WILLIAMS, 
I. A. CHAPMAN, 
B. R. WOOD, 



0. B. LANSING, G. A. VAN ALLEN 

C. H. ADAMS, SAML. SCHUYLER, 

E. D. JONES, S. DE LA GRANGE, 

O. H. DAVENPORT. 



JESSE C. POTTS, 
JAS. W. EATON, 
NATHAN B. PERRY. 



$S,500,000 LOSSES PAID 

Since Organization, June, 1859. 

ST Sta,te Street. 





itlittia 



N PUBLISHING this work, we would respectfully say that we have endeavored to make the book 
simply a brief chronicle of most of the important events which have occurred in Albany, since its first 
discovery and settlement. We have not nor do we claim to give a full history in detail ; that has been 
done by eminent historians and writers, and yet there remains much to be written on Albany's past 
two hundred years; there are so many subjects each of which would fill a large volume. In this work 
we have compiled notes from the Documentary History of New York,Weise's History, Memoirs of Mrs. Grant, and Mun- 
lell's Collections and Annals, and other works. The labor and expense has been great. Our illustrations show many scenes 
of Albany in "ye olden time," streets, residences and noted buildings, some of which still remain, as valuable landmarks of 
Williamstadt, B.'verwyck and Fort Orange. In conclusion we would kindly say to our patrons who have assisted us in our 
undertaking, that we return thanks, beWeving that this book in their hands will readily be sought after by many, and be prized 
in families as a memento of Albany's Bi-Centennial. 

A. O. SPRING-ER, Compiler. 



THE EXPLORATION AND SETTLEMENT OF ALBANY. 

The first advent of white men at Albany, history relates, were a party of Frenchmen, who landed near the city on the 
west side of the river. They erected earthworks on an island, but abandoned them in a short time. In 1609 Henry Hud- 
son sailed from Amsterdam in the vessel. The Half Moon, of eighty tons burden, "and on the nineteenth of September an- 
chored near Albany. The Indians received him and his erew in a friendly spirit, bringing beaver and otter skins, grapes, 
pumpkins, etc., in their canoes to his ship. On the twenty-third of the same month Hudson started homeward-bound from 
Albany. In the year 1614 a party of Hollanders arrived here and stopped on the island formerly occupied by the French, 
iticing the old ruins of the earthworks, they called'it Fort Nassau. The following inscription was placed near it : 
lassau is fifty-eight feet wide between the walls. In the quadrangle the moat is eighteen feet wide. The house in- 
. fort is thirty-six feet long and twenty-six wide. A garrison of a dozen Dutch soldiers were placed at this fort to de- 
from the Indians. In 1618 this place was abandoned. A few years after this large colonies of Hollanders arrived at 
// — a great many through the colonization plans of the Dutch West India Company. In 1624 there were a party of 
.'en families that settled at Albany and built a small fort of logs and earth and called it Fort Orange in honor of Mau- 
;he Prince of Orange. In 1674 Fort Nassau and Williamstadt were called Albany. 



iMANMirsiSMr^srftesM! 




Albany's Temple of Music. 

At time passes and the taste 
of the people bacomes refined 
aod elevated, there is no art 
that attracts more attention than 
music. Forty years ago a piano 
in the house of a mechanic was 
a wonder, a piece of extrava- 
gance that was coneidered folly. 
Now, however, in the hoose of 
every well-to-do mechanic, and 
eBpecially one who has daugh- i 
ters, there is to be found a Piano, ij 
This 16 as It should be, for music *' 
renders home cheerful and hap- 
py, and takes away the desire 
to seek pleasure elsewhere. This 
is the eftect, and the cause is to 
be lound in the energy of the 
firm of Cluett & Sows, of 49 J! 
State Street, Albany, who have ^' 
done so much to make music 
popular. They were the pio- 
neers of trade in Albany, 30 
years ago, and we now find 
them at the head of the largest 
establishment of the kind in the 
State, with the Sole Agencies 
of the best Pianos and Organs 
in the world. Let everybody 




EST-A-BIjISr^ElD, les^. 




ORGANS 




«=^«^=^5 




Musical Entertainment, 1800, 



who is fond of muBic go to Cltj- 
BTT & Sons', and see now easy 
it ie to obtain a Piano or Organ. 
We are the largest Piano and Or- 
gan dealers in tne State, represent 
the largest number of valuable 
agencies, possess the most liber- 
al facilities, and have a record 
of over a quarter of a century 
for Fair and Honorable Dealing, 
Low for Cash and on easy terms. 
At this Popular Depot you will 
find the largest stock of Sheet 
Music, Music Books and Musi- 
cal Merchandise to be found in 
the market. You can find Stein- 
1^ way, Chickerin^, Weber, Linde- 
man, Gabler, Fisher, Pease and 
Stone, Pianos, and the Estey 
and Wilcox & White and Kim- 
ball Organs at most satisfactory 
prices. Every instrument war- 
ranted. Satisfaction guaranteed. 
Do not fail to call and examine 
the bargains. A large stock of 
Pianos and Organs to rent at 
from $1.00 a month to $5.00 a 
month. If bought we allow a ' 
large amount of rent — easy 
terms. 





PIANOS 



THE BI-CENTENNUL. 




Joseph Brant, aged 43. 
From a miniature painted on ivory from life, when 
Brant was in London in 1785-86. It is in the pos- 
uision of the Brant family, and is considered the best 
picture of this noted Indian ever taken. 



Records of Albany. 

On July 23, 1691, Major Richard Ingoldsby acted as 
governor, (through the sudden death of Gov. Sloughter) 
until the arrival of Governor Benjamin Fletcher in August, 
1692. 

In 1765, Stephen Van Rensselaer, completed the manor 



THE INDIANS — THEIR MANNERS, CUSTOMS, &c., 
1600 TO 1700. 

When the Indians were at war, and wished to inform those of the party who 
might pass their path, they would make a picture of the animal of their tribe with a 
hatchet in his dexter paw — sometimes a sabre or a club. And if there were a num- 
ber of tribes together in the same party, each would draw the animal of his tribe, 
and the number denoting the tribe's party all on a tree, from which the bark had 
been removed. The animal of the tribe leading the expedition is always the fore- 
most. 

Their bread was Indian corn beaten into pieces between two stones, of which 
they made a cake and baked it in the ashes. They ate venison, turkeys, hares, 
bears and wildcats, their own dogs and other things. When hungry they would 
make a fire and cook, getting fire by rubbing pieces of wood, one against the other 
very quickly. When their corn was ripe they would take off the earsand place them 
in deep pits. At one time in speaking in Albany, one of the Mohawk orators, said 
it was a place where they made covenant chains, and called Albany the "House of 
Peace.'' In 1689, the strength of the various Tribes of Indians in this vicinity 
■were as follows : Mohawks, 270 ; Oneidas, 180; Onondagas, 500 ; Cayugas, 300 ; 
Senecas, 1300; and River Indians, 250, a total of 2800. Nine years later there 
were 110 Mohawks, 70 Oneidas, 250 Onondagas, 200 Cayugas, 600 Senecas, and 
90 River Indians, in all 1320. Showing a decrease of 1480. In 1696 and 1697 
bands of Canadian Indians, massacred many inhabitants near Albany and burned 
their dwellings. 

house, which still can be seen in the northern part of the 
city, it has quite a history, and has been visited by large 
numbers of people. 

About 1748,, Governor George Clinton appointed Col. 
William Johnson, as chief manager of the Indian war and 
head over all the Indian tribes in the war against the 
French and Indians. 



YIN HIUSEN, iWm & CO., 

468 and 470 BROADWAY, 

ALBANY, N. Y. 



All pertaining to our LINE OF BUSINESS we provide 

at the 

Loupost Trices Possible. 

Our Stock of 

Lamps, 

Gas Fixt\ires, 

Silver-P*lated "W^are 

AND 

Is laraje. We invite an examination. 




Having Removed to a Better Location, a more 

Commodious Store, with ample room to 

display a Larger Stock, we will 

Exhibit in their Respective 

Seasons, 

THE FINEST QUALITY 

AND 

Most FASHIONABLE Styles ^^ 

OF ^ Ss ■ 

Silki, Ope7'a, Casshnere and Straw 

Also, a Special Line of Novelties in 

BOYS ^itTiD cmXiXJieiEivr's 

Felt, Cloth aijd Fancy Straw tjats, 

And a large Assortment of 

TDTRTVC! alligator and D A p Q 

InUlmU, GRAIN LEATHER DAUU, 

SILK UMBRELLAS AND GLOVES. 
W. R. SOHERMERHORN, 

Uo. 21 UOHTH PEAHL ST., Opp, Tweddle Bailding, 

'Albany Agent for 

YOUMANS', New York HATS, 



THE BI-CENTENNIAL. 



PETER SCHUYLER, 

The First Mayor of Albany. 

Peter Schuyler was the 
son of Philip Pieterse 
Schuyler, the founder of 
the Schuyler family in this 
country. He married 
Margaritta Van Slichten- 
horst a daughter of one of 
the agents of the patroon, 
Kilian Van Rensselaer. 
Among the old family re- 
cords was found the fol- 
lowing, (1657, 'he 17th 
September, iVIonday, is 
born our second son, Pieter 
Van Schuyler. May the 
Lord God let him grow 
up in virtues to his salva- 
tion, Amen). At the 
age of twenty-five he was 
deacon of the Dutch 
church (in another page 
of this book will be found 
a fac simile of the Schuyler 
coat of arms dated 1656, 
which was on the stained 
glass window of the old Dutch church. He was under 
thirty when first mayor of Albany. Not alone in the arts 
of peace and diplomacy was he distinguished. Governor 
Dongan appointed him lieutenant of cavalry at the age of 
twenty-seven, he rose to the rank of colonel ; he was also 




Peter Schuyler, 
First Mayor of Albany, 



judge of the Court of Oyer and Terminer, a high judicial 
appointment, during the Leisler trouble he conducted him- 
self with great ability and foresight. The French and 
Indian expeditions causing much excitement among the 
settlers of Albany, and at this time the massacre at Schen- 
ectady took place. Schuyler's greatest military enterprise 
was, when he took command of an expedition against the 
French and Indians in 1691, when with only 120 whites 
and 146 Indians he pursued the enemy through the Cham- 
plain region and near the northern boundary of New York, 
attacking a large superior force, and was victorious in 
several engagements, his loss was 37 men, one-half of whom 
were Indians, the enemy lost 200. In 1710 Schuyler 
visited England taking several Indian chiefs with him, he 
refused the offer of knighthood, and the queen ordered his 
portrait painted, which is still preserved at Troy. He be- 
came president of the Governor's council in 1709, which 
office he held until his death in 1724, his fame extended 
through the colonies, in Canada and in Europe, and in the 
words of another we say, why not in this Bi-Centennial 
year honor the memory of Peter Schuyler in sculptured 
bronze ? His fame was national. He was born in Albany ; 
lived in Albany ; and in Albany achieved his fame. 



Records of Albany. 



In 1687, Albany was threatened by an invasion of the 
French and Indians. Governor Dongan ordered troops 
from the garrison of Fort James, New York, for the pro- 
tection of Albany. To preserve the peace, during the 
military occupation, all sale was prohibited of any strong 
drink, beer, cider or other liquor to any person after Taptoo, 



IT STANDS AT THE HEAD! 



THE LIGHT RUNNING 

Milk Im Mm, I 



C/3 
03 



CO 
03 

03 




txd 






sM© Paper f aiMoiif 

/\nd the LIGHT RUNNING -'DOMESTIC" 
DOMESfIC mm MACBINE COMPANY, 



99 North Pearl St., 



ALBANY, N. Y. 



HENRY ROWLANDS, 

:est.a.bxjISh:ex), i832. 

No. 27 NORTH PEARL ST.. 

No. 40 Maiden Lane, 



4 ^ < » » 



IMPORTER AND DEALER IN 

I 



udJiui ^^> 



uu 




^ND OTHER PRECIOUS STONES. 



THE BI-CENTENNUL. 



THE PATROONS. 

On the seventh of 
June, 1629, the West 
India Co., adopted a 
new plan for the 
colonization of New 
Netherland ; a person 
who within the space 
of four years would 
plant a colony of fifty 
persons over fifteen 
years of age, would 
be permitted to choose 
such land as desired, 
extending four Dutch 
or English miles along 
one side of a navigable 
river or two Dutch 
or six English miles 
along both sides of the 
same, and so far back 
at a person could walk in two days, these people were to 
be free from customs, taxes, excises, imports, etc., for the 
term often years, each patroon was granted full possession 
and enjoyment of the land within the limits of his manor 
and the right to dispose of it by testament. About 1630 
Kilian Van Rensselaer of Amsterdam, a wealthy man who 
had been a dealer in pearls and diamonds in that city, re- 
ceived authority to locate and settle a colony. On the 
eighteenth day of April, 1630, the Indians conveyed to 
this patroon the tract of land called Sanckhagag, on the 
west side of the river, extending from a point above Beeren 




Gen, Solomon Van Rensselaer. 



Island to a point opposite Smack Island in breadth, and 
two days journey inland. On the twenty-fourth day of 
May, 1630, the ship Unity with Commander Crol arrived 
at Fort Orange with these colonists. The patroon alio 
secured a tract on the west side of the river above Fort 
Orange, and a tract named Gesnerset on the east side 
of the river opposite Castle Island extending from Peta- 
nock, the Molen Kill, northward to Negagouse, about 
three Dutch miles long, the lands held by the colonists at 
this time was called Rensselaerwyck. The patroon had 
the right of purchasing before all other persons the grain 
and cattle of his tenants, and all other property belonging 
to them. When a colonist died intestate, his property 
reverted to the patroon. They were also required to take 
their grain to the Patroons' Mill to be ground. In 1637 
the patroons became possessed of a manor about twenty- 
one miles long and forty-six wide, more than six hundred 
thousand acres of land, at present included within the 
limits of Albany and Rensselaer. 

Records of Aleany. 

In 1693, Robert Livingston was made a sub-collector of 
customs at Albany and William Shaw, ganger, Pieter 
Schuyler, mayor, Dick Wessels, recorder, Robert Livings- 
ton, town clerk and John Apell, sheriff. Major Richard 
Ingoldsby commander of Fort Orange, was made president 
and Robert Livingston, judge advocate of the court mar- 
tial, for the purposes of martial law. The militia of 
Albany at this time numbered three hundred and fifty-nine 
men, under the control of Mayor Pieter Schuyler. 

In 1832, Albany was visited with a great cholera scourge 
and about 500 persons died with the disease. 



Ciart^rrcnewedini828 &1851 




STATE STREET, CORNER OF CHAPEL. 



CHARTER RENEWED, 1881. 



DIRECTORS. 

JOHN J. OLCOTT, 
WILLIAM KIDD, 
RUFUS H. KING, 
ERASTUS CORNING, 
JAMES B. JERMAIN, 
GRANGE SARD, JR., 
J. W. TILLINGHAST. 

THEODORE TOWNSEND, Vice-President. 
JOHN E. McELROY, Secretary, 
This Old Established Home Company, in the 75th year of business in Albany, solicits your patronage, 'and will|insure 
for one year, or three year term, at rates as low as those of any reliable company. 



JOHN H. VAN ANTWERP, 
CHARLES B, LANSING, 
J. HOWARD KING, 
ERNEST J. MILLER, 
JACOB H. TEN EYCK, 
THEODORE TOWNSEND, 

J. HOWARD KING, President, 



THE BI-CENIENNUL. 



MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE 
EARLY SETTLERS. 




^^ Hospitalities around thej" Old Fire Place." In Ye Olden Time. 

Mr. Arthur James Weise, in his History of Albany, 
thus relates the manners and customs of the early|settlers, 
in 1685. "The houses in the village, about one hundred 
in number, were mostly built of logs, or of framed timber, 
some were built of brick ; few of the steep gable-roofs had 
eave-troughs. The chimneys were mostly built on the 
outside of the houses, at their gable ends, and were made 
wide and deep at the bottom for large fire places. Stoops, 
low wooden platforms, with backed benches, were gener- 



ally placed before the front doors. These porches on fair 
summer evenings were the favorite out-door sitting places 
of the villagers. In the best rooms of the wealthiest were 
bedsteads with high posts that almost touched the ceilings, 
a cloth canopy, from the top on a frame hung down so at 
to nearly touch the floor. The valance was a curtain on 
the lower part of the bedstead. The kitchen was the 
living room, especially in the winter. In the spacious fire- 
place was the horizontal bar, from which by iron hooks 
was hung the various kettles used in cooking, the loom 
stood in one corner of the room upon which the wife and 
daughters wove the linen and woolen fabrics for the use of 
the household ; the spinning wheels and the baby's crib 
that stood near, the hams and bacon, the cases of puddings 
and sausages, the strings of red pepper pods, the bunches 
of dried herbs, the yellow ears of corn all hanging from the 
heavy beams overhead, and the quaint furniture gave a very 
unique and comfortable appearance to the kitchens of the 
first families of Albany. Occasionally in these kitchens 
the friendly Mohawks with their squaws and papooses 
found shelter from the weather of a winter's night, and 
saw the hospitable Dutchmen dandling their little children 
on their knees while their busy wives sat at their looms 
casting the thread-bearing shuttles through the warps of 
some desired cloths. 

When the bell of the Reformed church rang the curfew 
at eight o'clock at night, the people of the village carefully 
covered the coals on the kitchen hearth with ashes and 
went to bed. At sunrise tall columns of smoke began to 
ascend from the chimneys and shortly afterwards the risen 
families were eating their morning meals of plain but sub- 
stantial food. 



J. F.SEMAN, OPTICIAN, 

CORNER STATE AND NORTH PEARL STS., 





peita© 




IN GOLD, SILVER AND STEEL FRAMES. 

And all Kinds of Optical Instruments. t»- Special Attention given to Oculist's Prescription8.-«« 

This is the oldest establishment of the kind in the City of Albany, and is extensively known throughout the State of 
New York for keeping the best Eye Glasses and Spectacles, and for safely fitting the various deficiencies of sight. 



THE BI-CENTENNIAL. 




North Pearl Street View 1S05 



The illustration on this page shows a view of North 
Pearl street in 1805. William McClellan then resided at 
the first house. In the next was the residence o\ John B. 
Romeyn, D. D. (now the site of the "St. Marc" building). 
It has been related that Gen. Washington whilse in Albany, 
shortly after the revolution made this historic spot his 
headquarters. The next was the house of Nicholas 
Bleecker, one of Albany's wealthiest merchants. Peter 
Elmendorf lived in the next house, and between that 



and the school adjoining was the play 
ground for the boys. The last house was 
the residence of John Andrews, a con- 
stable who was the terror of evil-doers in 
old Albany fifty years ago. 

The Burghers (Schout's), Sherief's, 
Officers, etc. 

In 1057 the exclusive privileges of 
citizenship was conferred on certain male 
inhabitants of New Amsterdam. 

On the twenty- sixth of September, 1673, 
Lieut. Andries Draeyer was appointed 
schout (sheriff) of Willemstadt and Rens- 
selaerwyck. In 1674, Michael Siston 
was appointed sheriff of Albany and Rens- 
jelaerwyck and Richard Pretty, excise 
collector. In 1686 an ordinance was 
passed that no person or persons should be 
permitted to work at any trade, or work 
until he should have served as an appren- 
tice to some burgher of the city for the term 
of four years, unless they should be other- 
ways qualified. 



Records of Albany. 



Colonel Robert Hunter, was commissioned governor of 
New York, Oct. 19, 1709. 

Oct. 1 713. Robert Barrett was appointed city bellman 
for one year with a salary of £21 pounds current money, 
he was to be provided with sixty loads of wood, for the 
winter and to have two candles each night. 





LADIES and GENfTS 




No. 50 NORTH PEARL ST., 



New Yori Stores, ALBANY. 



DINNBB TABLE DE HOTE from 12 to 2 and from 5 to 7 JP. 31. Ordinarij, 75 cents; 
with Wine, $1.00. 

Special attention paid to LADIES' LUNCH, during Shopping- hours. 

N. B. Personal attention given to Weddings, Receptions, Private Parties, etc. 

WILLIAM N. HASKELL. 



THE BI-CENIENNIAL. 



_7 

fence ; a committee was appointed to prepare and receive 
plans for the union of the colonies, and to form them into 
one general plan. The committee appointed to prepare 
this plan, were Thomas Hutchinson, Theodore Atkinson, 
William Pitkin, Stephen Hopkins, Benjamin Franklin and 
Benjamin Tasker. It was proposed to ask of Great Britain, 
that an act of Parliament might be passed, giving to Amer- 
ica one general form of government, including all the 
colonies, and that each colony might retain its own con- 
stitution. Philadelphia was named as the place for the 
annual meetings. England refused to accede to the wishes 
of the convention, but the tree of liberty had been planted 
at Albany, and in after years it bore glorious fruit. 

The Convention was presided over by Benjamin Frank- 
lin, who, with Stephen Hopkins, afterwards affixed their 
names to the Declaration of Independence. 



THE HISTORIC CITY HALL. 




i i i g i 
i § § i § 




The old City Hall, 
Erected about 1743. 



This famous edifice 
was erected about 1743 
and stood on the cor. 
Broadway and Hudson 
avenue now the Commer- 
cial building. On the 
19th of July, 1776, the 
Declaration of Independ- 
ence was read and pub- 
ished at this spot, in the 
presence of an immense 
multitude of people in- 
^' eluding a large number of 
continental troops. In 
1776 the citizens of Al- 
bany commemorated this 
event by placing a tablet 
In 1780 and in 1789, 



on the face of this building. 

the legislature of the state met and held its annual sessions 

here. 

In June 1754, the Colonial Congress convened for the 
purpose of forming a more perfect union of the colonies. 
There were delegates to this body, from the states of 
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode 
Island, Pennsylvania, Maryland. The delegates repre- 
senting New York were Joseph Murray, William Johnson, 
John Chambers and William Smith. The sessions of the 
congress were held in the court house ^city hall, see 
illustration on this page), a motion was made at one of the 
sessions and unanimously carried, that a union of all the 
colonies was absolutely necessary for their safety and de- 



Records of Albany. 



In Nov. 1699, John RatclifFe and Robert Barrett were 
appointed watchmen of the city, rattle-watch (Ratelwagh) 
for one year, every night from ten o'clock until daylight 
they were to patrol the city, their pay for the year was 
£22, \bs. 

In 1709, 171 1, Albany was the scene of military events ; 
some 3,000 troops from England were encamped in 
Albany besides large numbers of Indian allies for the pur- 
pose of invading Canada, but the expedition resulted in 
failure. 

In May, _ 1824, the pier was built, it was about four 
thousand four hundred feet long, eighty feet wide, and 
twenty feet high, it extended along the east side of the 
basin, it made a harbor for over 1000 canal boats, besides 
a large number of other water craft. 



B. m\% \m TOBACCO COMPmiY, 

ESTT^BLISHZEID 1842. 
Manufacturers of the Original 

SERENO, 




MARGARITA, 
and LENA 



CROSS-PIPE, 
CONTINENTAL 
and 
CATCH-ALL 




Wm. McEw.i^N, Pros. 

Arthur S. Patn, Vice Pres. 

Robert Bryce, Treas 

Corner MAIDEN LAITE and JAMES ST., 



S. R. GRAY, 









P5 




Nos. 42 and 44 State Street, 

.A.LBj^isr~2", isr. '2'. 



THE BI-CENTENNIAL. 




'IW COMMISSARIS ^ ^ 

d 65 6. 





THE HOUSES OF THE EARLY SETTLERS, 

1600 to 1700. 

A Dutch writer in his description of the first habitations 
of Albany, says : They first dig a square pit in the ground 
cellar-fashion, six or seven feet deep and as long and as 
wide as they think proper. They case the earth inside 
with the bark of trees, or something else, to prevent the 
caving in of the earth. They floor this cellar with plank 
and clapboard it overhead for a ceiling, run a roof of span 
clear up and cover the spars with bark or green sodi, so 
that they can live dry and warm in these houses with their 
families for two three and four years. In after years there 
was steady improvement made in building their houses. 
In May 1704, it was ordered by the Common Council 
that a market house should be built in the middle of Jon- 
kers (now State street) opposite to ye lane between ye 
house of Major Dirk Wessels and Evart Wendel Sen'r 
at ye Citty's charges. The structure was of wood, open 
on all sides, it contained a number of butcher stalls and 
large tables, from which butter, vegetables and farm pro- 
duce were sold. Saturday was market day. The Rev. 
Samuel Chandler, who was in Albany in 1775, writes of 
the buildings and streets of Albany as follows. Some of 
the fire places in the houses of the Dutch people had very 
small jambs with three or four rows of tile, along the 
streets were rows of small button trees, many of the brick 
houses were curiously flowered with black bricks and 
dated with the same. The governor's house was orna- 
mented with two black brick hearts, the brick houses were 
commonly one story high and their gable-ends were 
notched like steps, they had window shutters and loop 
holes in the cellars. 



CARPETS. 



i I m tJiSMEl k CO. 

No. 69 North Pearl St., 



OPPOSITE THE KENMORE. 



In Business iu Albany, 

Enables us to understand the wants of the 
people. Our Stock of 

CABPETS, RUGS, 

MATS and MATTING, 

Is Complete in Everj Detail. 

A. B. VAN GAASBEEK & CO. 




THE BI-GRNTENNUL. 



EARLY SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION. 

In 1664, during the 
English occupatiofi 

Governor Nicolls in 
order that the children 
of the Diitch nnight learn 
the English language, 
granted the following 
license : " Whereas, 
The teaching of the 
English Tongue is neces 
sary in this Government, 
I have therefore thought 
fitt to give License to 
John Shutte to bee the 
Engliih Schoolmaster at 
Albany ; And upon con- 
dition that the said John 
Shutte, shall not demand 
any more wages from 
each SchoUar than is 
given by the Dutch to 
the Dutch Schoolmaster, I have further granted to the 
said John Shutte that hcc shall bee the only English School- 
master at Albany." 

About the year 1650, Dominie Grosvenor held a meet- 
ing for the purpose of building a school-house, the iettlers 
contributed the needful money and soon the school house 
was erected, on the 9th of September, 1650, Andreas 
Jansen was elected teacher. 

By a resolution of the common council April eighth, 




Bernardui Freeman, 
One of the earliest pastors who preached 
in both the Dutch and Indian tongue in 
Albany and Schenectady. 



1721, it WIS resolved : Whereas, it is very requisite and 
necessary that a fitt and able schoolmaster settle in this 
city for teaching and instructing of the youth in spelling, 
reading, writeing and cyfFering and Mr. Johannis Glandorf 
haveing offered his service to setle here and keep a school 
if reasonably encourage by y" Corporation, it is therefore 
Resolved by this Comonalty and they do hereby oblidge 
themselves and successors to give and procure unto y' said 
Johan's Glandorf free house rent for the term of seaven 
years next ensucing for keeping a good and commendable 
school as becomes a diligent Schoolmaster. 

In Nov., 1779, an Academy was opened, George Mer- 
chant being principal and Suel Chapin was assistant. This 
school was held in the Vanderheyden Palace. In May, 
1812, the Lancaster school was incorporated. The school 
term commenced, in the Mechanic's Soeiety building on 
the northwest corner of Chapel and Columbia streets. On 
the 5th of April, 181 7, the new school building was erected 
on the present site of the Medical College, but was discon- 
tinued as a school in 1834. 

On July 29th, 1815, the corner stone was laid for the 
Academy school building by Philip S. Van Rensselaer. 
In 181 7 it was occupied by the school. T. Romeyn Beck 
was principal of the institution, the cost of this building 
was about $100,000. 

The first public school building erected in 1832 on 
State street, known as district school No. 2, was the first 
school house built under the legislative act of 1830. In 
1866 another act was passed establishing free schools, and 
Albany to-day possesses one of the most splendid and per- 
fect school systems in the country. The High School 
was erected in 1875 and 1876, and occupied May 4, 1876. 



ESXAEXjISHTED 1859. 



H. B, 



H. J. Q»osE. 



B. GLEHENT & GO. 




-- < ■♦■» »■» 



Pljysiciaijs' Prescriptions ai^d Orders 

A SPECIALTY. 

}fuTssry, ■ 

Toilet and 

Biclz 'Iloom. 

Corner Broadway and ClintonlAvenue, 

ALBANY, N. Y. 



ESTJ^-BXiiaHEID 1861. 



E. A. HOBBS, 



CO 



CO 
03 



CO 
CD 




00 






CD 
CD 

cd' 

CO 



Pure Confectionery and Imported Cigars. 

No. 19 CLINTON AVE., 

Corner NORTH PEARL ST., ALBANY, N. Y. 



10 



'I HE Bl-CENTENNIAL. 




THE FIRST TRAIN OF STEAM CARS. 



It has been generally stated, that the engine named the 
John Bull pulled the first train of cars that passed over the 
Mohawk and Hudson road. Mr. David Mathews, now of 
San Francisco, claims that it was the engine named the 
De Witt Clinton which was built in 1831, as he was at 
the throttle on that occasion, and he states further that the 
engine John Bull was the rebuilt George Fulton an Eng- 
lish imported and unsuccessful engine. 

On July 29th, 1830, near Schenectady, ground was 
broken with a silver spade, by Stephen Van Rensselaer for 
the construction of the first railroad in New York state. 
In about one year the road was completed, from the junc- 
tion of the western turnpike and Lydius street (now 
Madison avenue) nearly thirteen miles to the top of a hill 
at Schenectady. On the 3d of August, 1 831, the engine 
the De Witt Clinton made the trip in one hour and forty- 
five minutes. The illustration on this page shows the 
appearance of the first train of cars as it passed over the 
Mohawk and Hudson railroad. Among the passengers on 
this train were Lewis Benedict, Charles E. Dudley, Jacob 
Hayes, Major Meggs (sheriff), Billy Winne (Penny Post), 



Thurlow Weed, Ex. -Gov. Jos. C. Yates, and six other 
passengers, names unknown, Mr. David Mathews was the 
engineer. The coaches were designed much after the old 
style of stage coach and were built by the late James 
Gould of Albany, a very much esteemed citizen. An im- 
portant document is the old original contract, for the 
building of these coaches, and in this Bi-Centennial year, 
this contract is quite a curiosity to see, it is still retained 
in the possession of the James Gould Co., Albany, N. Y. 
A grand excursion of state and city officials and leading 
citizens of New York, took place over this road on Sept. 
24, 1831. The road was completed in the spring of 1832, 
another grand excursion was given on the 14th of May, 
the train starting from the foot of Gansevoort street, and 
running into the centre of Schenectady, this was witnessed 
by large crowds ot people, and cannons were fired in honor 
of the event. The cars were drawn up the inclined plane 
by means of a long rope attached to them and to a station- 
ary engine at the top, the whole train being steadied and 
balanced by a car loaded with stone descending on the 
opposite track. In January, 1833, the cars were run by 
horse power from State street near the old Van Vechten 
Hall to the junction, about two miles out the city. 



EST.^BXjISI3"E3D 1B13. 



THE JAMES GOULD CO, 

BUILDERS OF FINE 





STYLE, FINISH AND D URABILITY UNEXCELLED. 




This cut represents a sleigh we built in 1816, now owned by O. C. Potter, Esq., of Syracuse, who is justly proud 
of the ancient vehicle. It bears its seventy years well and is still in fine condition. 

Do not fail when in Albany to call and see us at our Factory and Warerooms in the 
Block bounded by 

Union, Division and Hamilton Streets, Albany, N. Y. 



THE BI-CENTENNUL. 



II 



THE OLD GABLE HALL. 




Thi old Gable Hall. 

This old building is one of the old landmarks of Albany. 
In 1779, it was the residence of Governor Jay of New 
York, and in after years the top floor was used as a printing 
office by Joel Munseil, printer. For nearly sixty years it 
has been kept as a hat store, by different merchants, and 
is now managed as one by William E. Walsh & Sons, 
who have occupied the building since 1866. 



Ye Resolution, 1686, Yb Charter. 

At a meeting of the common council held on the twenty- 
sixth of October, 1686, for the purpose of taking action 
in regard to defray the expenses "in obtaining of y' char- 
ter," it was resolved to dispose off and sell some lotts of 
grounde upon y' Plain lying on y' south side of y" citty for 
gardens, as also y*^ land lying on both sides of Rutten Kill 
for two pastures " and appointed Gerrit Ryerse and Luykas 
Gerritse, assistant aldermen together with Claes Riper and 
Jacob Meese, carpenters " to lay out y' same in lotts and 
to number them " which lots were to be sold "at a pub- 
like vendue or outcry in y° city hall on Wednesday y" first 
day of December." The town clerk was ordered to "put 
up bills at y* citty hall door, and y' church to give notice 
to all persones that they may come at y' day appointed." 



Records of Albany. 



In 1640, the West India Company had a new charter 
of privileges and exemptions, one article was a provision 
allowing all patroons, free colonists and inhabitants, the 
privilege of selling goods brought from Holland, by the 
payment of a duty often per cent. Any person conveying 
a colony of five adult persons to New Netherland, was 
entitled to a tract of two hundred acres of land. 

In 1788, " The Albany Journal and Intelligencer " was 
printed. " The Albany Register " was also published this 
year. On January 26th, 181 3, the first number of the 
"Albany Argus" appeared, it was published by Jesse 
Buel. It was prmted on Tuesdays and Fridays in Store 
Lane between Washington and Green street. In Aug. 
1825, it appeared as a daily paper. 



WM. E. WALSH & SONS, 

58 and 60 STATE ST., 
GENTLEMEN'S AND BOYS' 

FIME HATS, 

SILK, OPER^, 3DRESS, ^ISTD 

Der"b37- Ha.ts- 

EXCLUSIVE AGENTS FOR 
KNOX, NEW YORK, 

COOKSEY & CO., LONDON. 

DENT'S ENGLISH GLOVES. 

LYON'S SILK UMBRELLAS. 

KNOX TRAVELING HATS. 
ENGLISH CLUB and GLADSTONE BAGS. 
PLUSH CARRIAGE ROBES. 
LEATHER. CANVAS. ZINC and COMMON 

T i^ "cr 2<T ik: s , 

In Different Grades. 



BELL & LEDGER, 



IMPORTERS AND JOBBERS OF 



lAITEENWiHI 






Laps, etc. 



414 BROADWAY, 



ji^jtras 



1, 3 and 5 BEAVER ST., 



• S! • 



12 



THE BI-CEN1ENNIAL. 



THE CHARTER OF ALBANY. 

On tht twenty- 
second day of July. 
1686, Governor 
Dongan signed the 
Charter, by which 
the village of Al- 
^4 bany, became a city 
^*~ the boundaricsofthe 
city were as follows : 
" On the east by 
Hudson's River, so 
farr as low water 
mark," on " the 
south by a line from 
the southermost end 
of the Pasture at 
the north end near 
Martin Garetsons 
Island, running 

back into the woods 
sixteen English 

miles due North- 
west to a certain 
Kill or Creek called 
the Sand-Kill ; on 
the North " by a 
line drawn from the 
post that was sett by Governor Stuyvesant near Hudson's 
river, runneing likewise North-west sixteen English miles 
and on the West by a straight line drawne from the points 
of the said South and North lines," The following persons 




No. 98 Sute atreet. 
iihed 1 84.1. 



The Wxndell Houii, 

Erected 17 16. 



Demol- 



were named and constituted by the Governor as the first 
officeri of the city. Peter Schuyler, Mayor, Isaac Swinton, 
Recorder, Robert Livingston, town clerk, Dirick WesseU, 
Jan Jans Bleecker, David Schuyler, Johannes Wendell, 
Levinus Van Schaick and Adrian Geritse, alderman, 
Joachim Staats, John Lansing, Isaac Verplanck, Lawrence 
Van Ale, Albert Ryckman and Melgcrt Wynantse, assist- 
ant aldermen, Jan Becker, chamberlain, Richard Pretty, 
sheriff, James Parker, marshal. One provision of the 
charter was that his majesty, his heirs, successors, assigns, 
commanders in chief, lieutenants, governors and the officers 
under them were not to be deprived of any rights and priv- 
ileges which they had in Pert Albany and in the city. The 
original charter is in the custody of the city clerk. (The 
original charter dated July aa, 1686, is deposited in the 
mayor's office), it is written in English, in gothic letter on 
parchment and bears a seal in a silver case. 



Records of Albany. 



On May 5th, 1824, the Albany Lyceum of Natural 
History, was merged into The Albany Institute, which was 
incorporated in 1829. Stephen Van Rensselaer was the 
first president of this society. 

The first newspaper printed in Albany, in 1771, was a 
small sheet called " The Albany Gazette." The New 
York Gazetteer was published in 1782. 

In i%\i Commodore Perry of Lake Erie fame, passed 
through Albany, he was presented at the Capitol with an 
elegant sword, and the freedom of the city in a gold snufF 
box by the patriotic citizens of Albany. 



TOUHiT 



w 

Q 

< 

m 

O 
Q 



^ 




Nos. 53 and 55 South Pearl St., 

AND 

33 and 35 William St., - Allany. 



JABEIiS H. DEVINE, 



LADIES AND GENTLEMEN'S 




@@ti & ih@l 



LADIES AND GENTLEMEN'S 

ib#©s SB^ 8Ilpp©ri, 

FOR EVENING WEAR. 

Boots & Shoes Made to IHeasure. 

J. H. DEVINE, 

Cor. North Pearl & State St»., 

i^LB^NY, N^. Y, 



'9 



THE BLCENTENNUL. 



13 




THE OLD ELM TREE CORNER. 

Here is seen the ancient Lydius House with its terraced g«bie. The 
corner house was built expressly for a parsonage to accommodate the Rev. 
Gideon Schaets, who arrived in Albany, in 1652, and was pastor of the old 
Dutch church. The materials for the building, were all imported from 
Holland, bricks, tiles, iron and woodwork. They came over with the 
church bell and pulpit in 1657. This house was for many years the resi- 



dence of Balthazar Lydius an eccentric old 
bachelor who died in 18 15, the mansion 
adjoining, now the store of Jos. J. Price, was 
the residence of William Pitt Beers. This 
spot is quite historic from the fact that in 
1679 Pieter Schuyler, the first mayor of 
Albany, occupied a house on this site. The 
partitions of this house were made of 
mahogany, and the beams were ornamented 
with carvings in high relief, representing the 
vine and fruit of the grape, to show the re- 
lief more perfectly the beams were painted 
white. In this house the wounded Col. 
Henry Van Rensselaer and a British officer 
lay ogethcr in the summer of 1777, after the 
battle near Fort Anne in which they fought. 
This building was demolished in 1832, and 
Apothecaries Hall was erected on its site. 
The drug store being kept many years by 
Dexter & Nclliger. 



The Ten Broecks. — Although the 
name Ten Broeck occurs so frequently in 
the history of New York, yet no mention is 
made of such a family in the Dutch records. 
It is probable therefore that they emigrated 
to this country after 1664. The name 
Hardcnbrock is found in the records. 

In 1701. — In this year the British crown 
gave two thousand pounds for the defence 
of Albany and Schenectady. 



1798. 



isse. 



JOSEPH J. PRICE, 



IDE^LEII?. IIN- 



fill f AlILf 




OIF E'VEi^ir ]DESOR/i:PTioisr. 



wmm. 



if 



SFECI.A.ILjTTT=:ff : 

MOCHA AND JAVA COFFEE, 

GREEN AND BLACK TEAS, 
BBEAKFAST BACON, 

HAMS AND BEEF TONGUES, 



H 



THE BI-CEN'lENNUL. 




State srBZKT looking east from Lodge to Broadway, 1805. 



I Philip Van Rensselaer's house, erected about 

1790, now the corner of Chapel street. 
a. Webster houses. 

3. Livingston house at the corner of Pearl, 

where Twcddle Hall now stands. 

4. Lydius house, n. c. corner of Pearl street. 

5. Old Dutch church at junction of State street 

and Broadway. Erected 1715. 



Mancius' apothecary store and post office. 
Stevenson house, erected 1780, demolished 

1841. 
Merchant mansion. 
McChesney's house and chair factory. On the 

left of the picture is seen the eastern corner 

of the Old Fort, now the site of St. Peter's 

church. 



STATE STREET IN 1805. 

Standing in the middle of State street, 
opDosite the present site of St. Peter's 
church, we have a view of State street as 
it looked in 1805. On this site stood the 
old fort and English church. The old 
fort with its huge stone walls was a 
massive structure, and looking eastward, 
down the then rough and irregular but 
now smooth and broad street, we see 
at the foot the old Dutch church, and 
across the river are the Greenbush hills, 
on the left is plainly seen the house built 
by Philip Van Rensselaer in 1790, on 
the corner of Chapel street, the resi- 
dence is now occupi-d by Erastus Coi- 
ning, and below on the Elm Tree corner 
are the Webster and the Lydius mansions, 
further down on the corner of James 
street is where the celebrated Anneke 
Jans lived. 

The Early Letters from 1700 to 
1750. — In the winter many of the men 
went into the hillside forest to fell trees, 
Ihat were afterwards sawed into plank, 
hewed into shape for house-timbers split 
into fence rails, cut into proper lengths 
for palisades or chopped into fire-wood. 
In a letter written by Peter Kalm when 
in Albany in 1749, he speaks of Albany 
containing almost all Dutchmen. They 
speak Dutch, have Dutch preachers, and 
divine service is held in that language. 



D. P. GLADDING, 



HOUSE AMD SIGN 




c-J 



u 




L^ 



(^ 



U 




9 



AND GLAZIER. 



No. 93 STA.TE STREET, 



mi^mmMr^ ^. r. 



1843. 



1886. 



RIDCWAY ^ EUSS, 




i. \\\ 117. Ill k 121 m\ SI 



ALBANY, N. Y. 



DEST-A-IBIjISIIEX), 1810. 



'Wliolesale Dealers in 



Fliffileii' lateflili. 



THE BI-CENTE\'NUL. 



15 




DIAGRAM OF ALBANY, 1695. 

In Sept., 1693, new palisades were ordered at Fort 
Orange, some were to be twenty feet and others nineteen 
fee* long, all to be twelve inches thick at the smallest end, 
" of good, smooth-barked pyne, not of your black barked 
pyne, and were to be sett up against the old stockadoes in a 
months time. The opening and shutting the gates of the 
city was the duty of the city porter and town cryer. The 
illustration on this page shows Albany in 1695. I. The 
Fort of Albany. 1. The old Dutch church. 3. The 
Dutch Lutheran church. 4. The burying ground. 5. The 
Dutch burying ground. 7. 7. The block houses. 8. The 
Stadt-houses (City Hall). 9. A great gun to clear a galley. 
10. 10. The stockade. 11. 11. The gates of the city, six 
in all. The Rev. John Miller describing Albany in 1695 
says " It is in circumference about six furlongs, and hath 
therein about 200 houses. The form is septangular, and 
the longest line, that which buts upon the river, running 
from North to South. On the west angle is the fort, quad- 
rangular, strongly stockadoed, and ditched round, having in 
it twenty-o"e pieces of ordinance mounted ; on the north- 
west side are two block houses, and on the southwest as 
many ; on the south-east angle stands one block-house, in 
the middle of the line from thence northward is a horned 
work, and in the north east angle a mount The whole 
city is well stockadoed round and in the several fortifica- 
tions named are about thirty guns." In 1704 a new 
stockade was built around and the fort strengthened. 



Diagram of Albany, 1695 



The Seal useA by the city in 1752, bore the figure of a 
beaver at bay. The name Albany and the date 1752, 
were upon it (a fac-simile of this seal is shown on the 
front cover of this workj. 



FACTORIES AT TOLEDO, OHIO. 



LARGEST IN THE WORLD. 




MILBURN WAGON COMPANY, 

■WHOLES^^LE ]v^.A.I<rXJEJ^aTTJP6EK/S OE 



ag@&g,j Oiiriag@§,j f 'ii@ls tii Dmj 



'I 



OF E-V-EU.Y ]Z)-ESC:R,XI=TIOI>r. 




A Specialty. 



Manufacturers and 
Jobbers of 

Harness, 
Whips, 

Horse 
Clothing, 
Lap Robes, 
Dusters, 
Sheets & 
Mats. 



NEW MAMMOTH REPOSITORY, 108 & 110 State St., 29 & 31 Howard St., 

HONEST GOODS. Complete illustrated Catalogue mailed free on application, LO^ PRICES. 



i6 



THE BI-CENTENNUL. 




Staats House. Erected in 1667, State street cor. of South Petri. 

This is the oldest house in Albany. It is one of two 
which stood there when South Pearl was a lane, entered 
by a gate, when the street was widened, the upper ^'ouse 
known as Lewis's tavern wai removed. The words An;-'o 
Domini in iron letters ran across the front of these two 
houses, under the eaves and below over the upper story, 
the figures also in iron 1667. 



THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, 1786. 

The committee ippointed by the common council to 
celebr«tc the centennial in 1786, wai «s follows : Philip 
Van Rensselaer, Peter W. Yates, Aldermen ; John W. 
Wendell, Ricnard Lush, and Jillis Winne, assistant alder- 
man, this committe made the fo'iowing report: The Com- 
mittee to whom was Referred the Mode of Celebrating the 
12nd of July Instant, Being the Century anniversary of 
this City, Ho Report, that in their Opinion. The Common 
Council Convens in the forenoon on th'^t day, at Ten 
O'clock at the City Hall, and from their proceed in pro- 
session to the Hill, westward of the City, attended by such 
Citizens as shall Chuse ; That during the Procession all 
the Bells of the several Churches in this City shall Ring, 
and at the arrival at the place assigned for the Purpose on 
the Hill, Thirteen Toasts, and one for the Chirter (be 
offered) under the Discharge of Fourteen Cannon. That 
the Order of Procession be as follows, vizt. : I. The High 
Sheriff. 2. The Under Sheriffs. 3 The Constables with 
their Staffs. 4. The Mayor and Recorder. 5. The Alder- 
men 6. The Common Council. 7. The Chamberlain 
and Clerks. 8. The Marshal. 9. The Corporations of 
the severil Churches. 10. The Judges of the several 
Courts. II. The Justices of the Peace. 12. The Mem- 
bers of Legislature and Attorneys at Law. 13. The 
Militia Officers. 14. The Engine & Fire Company. 
15. The Citizens at Large. Having heard the report the 
Common Council, Resolved, That the Committee be a 
Committee to prepare and superintend the said business, 
who ire to purchase a Barrel of Good Spirits for the pur- 
pose. Resolved, that the members of this Board, have a 
Supf>er at Mr. Lewis's Tavern at 6 O'Clock in the after- 
noon. 




THE! OXiX)"S;ST 



Jewelry, Broijzes, Solid Silver Ware, &c. 




R. P. THORN & SOXS. 



TEA STORE 

IN ALBANY. 

Great China Tea Company, 

PRINCIPAL WAREHOUSE, 

84 &c 86 ST-A.TE STI^EET. 

15 Union Avenue. 120 South Pearl Street. 

o 

We have the reputation of selling the 

Choicest Teas and Coffees, 

In Large or Small Quantities, 

CHEAPER THAN ANY STORE 

IN THE CITY. 

New York, Boston and Albany. 



THE BI-CENTENNIAL. 



17 



GRAPHIC MILITARY SCENES IN ALBANY. 




Broadway, 1805, looking from the south towards the church. 

In Jan., 1693, ^ French expeditinn from Montreal was repulsed by about 
three hundred soldiers under Major Pieter Schuyler. The companies were 
commanded by Capts. Peter Mathews. Arcnt Schuyler, Benjamin Phipps, 
Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, Thomas Garten and Lieut. John Schuyler. 

In 1700 the militia of the province of New York amounted to 3,182 men 
The city and county of Albany furnished 371 soldiers. 



The regiment of Albany at this time 
was commanded by Col. Pieter Schuyler 
and Major Dirck Wessells. The first 
foot company were officer "d as follows: 
Johannus Bleecker, captain ; Johannes 
Roseboom, lieut. ; Abnham Cuyler, en- 
sign. The second foot company, Albert 
Janse Ryckman, captain ; Wessel Ten 
Broeck, lieut. ; Johannes Thomasse, en- 
sign. The officers of the first foot com- 
pany of the county were : Martain Corne- 
lisse, captain ; Andries Douw, lieut. ; An- 
dries Coeymans, ensign. Those of the 
second foot company were : Gerrit Ten- 
nisse, captain ; Jonas Douw and Jochim 
Lambcrse, lieuts. ; Volkert Van Hoesen 
and Abraham Hause, ensigns. The offi- 
cers of the troop were Kiliaen Van Rens- 
selaer, captain ; Johannes Schuyler, lieut. ; 
Bennony Van Corlaer, cornet, and An- 
thony Brief, quartermaster. The foot 
company of Schenectady had for its officers 
Johannes Sanders Glen, captain ; Adam 
Vrooman, lieut., and Harmen Van Slyck, 
ensign. In 1775, 1,756 colonial troops 
encamped on both sides of the river, a large 
number of vessels bearing troops and muni- 
tions of war arrived at Albany to repel the 
advance of Gen. Montcalm from Mon- 
treal. The English General Abercrombie 
also arrived with two regiments of regulars, 
some 12 thousand men were encamped at 
Albany at this time. 




^llilj ill 




Our House has been established for over 
thirty years, and with increased facilities we 
shall study to remain at the head, for 

RUBBER GOODS, 

of every description. 

HENRY MA YELL & SON, 

Exclusive Rnhhei' Dealers, 

426, 428 and 430 Broadway, cor. State St., 
ALBANY, N. Y. 



ELORIDGE & HYATT, 



DEALERS IN 




Deep Mine Red Ash Goal, 
Old Go. Lock aw anna, 

Old Gompany Lehigh, 
And English and American Goal, 

DELIVERED IN BAGS OR BULK. 



788 BROADWAY, 

And 194 HUDSON AVE. 




THE B1-CEN1ENNIAL. 



celain ornamented with scripture scenes. This building was known 
for many years as a trading post. The Indians came here for the 
purpose of trading their furs. This old landmark has been re- 
tained in the Pemberton family for nearly a century. The Pember- 
ton grocery business on this site was commenced in 1818, and is 
still conducted by Mr. Howard Pemberton one of the descendants 
of this family. 

The Foxen Kill. — This stream ran outside of the stockades, 
which for a great many years formed the northern boundary of the 
city, it is not many years since it was crossed by a bridge in North 
Pearl street near Orange. 

German Reformed Church. — In 1767 a plot of ground on 
the hill north of the fort was granted to build a house of worship. 



Old Pemberton House, cor. of N. Pearl and Columbia streets. 

This old landmark was built in 17 10, and was held 
in the family of the Lansings for a great many years. 
Col. Jacob Lansing who resided in this building was 
a prominent character in the American revolution, 
his son Jacob Lansing occupied it until his death, 
the late Judge Jacob Lansing who was the third in 
descent was born here, at one time this ancient build- 
ing stood outside the stockades, no two rooms were 
on the same level. The window panes were in the 
form of diamonds, the ceilings were not lath and plas 
tered, but the beams and frame work were polished, 
and the jambs of the fire places were faced with por 




The old Hallenbeck Burying Ground corner of S. Peirl and Hamilton streets. 



BUILDING 

ERECTED, 

1710. 



BUSINESS 

ESTABLISHED, 

1818. 




< 




DEALER IN 




FAMILY STORES, 

Gor. N orth Pearl and Columbia Sts. 



m^»aj¥F. 



M. TEBBUTT'S SONS, 

mERTiKERS! 

84 and 86 North Pearl Street, 

Second door north of Columbia St., 

ALBANY, N. Y. 



Telephone connection with Office. 



THE BI-CENTENNUL. 



19 




Nichols's Amphitheatre. Tbis building stood on the corner of Westerlo and Dallius streets, 

AMUSEMENTS, FAIRS, FESTIVALS, EXHIBITIONS, ETC. 
In June, 1769, the governor granted a theatrical company to act for one month in 
Albany, the hospital on Pine street near the site of the Lutheran church was arranged 
so that a stage and scats were built, and the play called " Venice Preserved," was 
acted. Among the company playing were Lewis Hallam, Jr., John Henry, Mr. 
W^oolls and Miss Chew. By an act of the Assembly passed 1692, fairs were allowed 
to be held annually, one in the city to be held in July for four days, and the county 
fair at Caawlies in Rensselaerwyck in October, for four days also. Up to 181 1 the 
Pinkster festivals were the scenes of much merry making every year. In 1797 
the first Albany Museum was opened on the corner of Green and Beaver streets. 
The first theatre was erected on the west side of Green street near Hamilton in 1812, 
it was built of brick, being fifty-six feet wide by one hundred and ten feet deep, it was 



opened January 18, 1813, by 
manager John Bernard. The plays 
being " The West Indian " and 
" Fortune's Frolic," an opening 
address, written by Solomon South- 
wick, one of the editors of the 
Albany Register was read by a Mr. 
Southey. In I 8 13 a Mr. Trow- 
bridge kept in the 3d story of the 
old City Hall a large collection of 
the productions of nature and art. 
)n March 22, 18 17, the first ex- 
hibition of 2as illumination was 
given by Henrv Trowbridge, the 
proprietor of the museum, 120 
burners were shown amid much 
wonderment among the assembled 
people present. The old Museum 
cor. Broadway and State street was 
opened Jan. i, 1831, and used as 
such until April 28, 1855. 

The Rutten Kill. — Was 
a stream having its course above 
Lark street and which during 
freshets sent down volumes of 
water, it was always a never 
failing brook, well stocked with 
fish, this stream ran down 
Hudson avenue, crossed Pearl 
street near the corner of Beaver 
and entered the river a few feet 
below State street. 



GO TO 




No. 85 NORTH PEARL STREET, 



fill C 



u 



fJEi 



BA.SKETS, &c 

O if « 



H. 



ICE CREAM SODA, 

-^rn-d I^oot Eeer ! 



HOLLAND TEHRELL, 



-A^IsTX) 



fllll Mill 

No. 486 Broadway, 

/ALBANY, N, y. 
Moffat's Leather Used Exclusively. 

A General Assortment of the Best and 

MOST FASHIONABLE ARTICLES 

In his line constantly on hand. 



20 



THE BI-CENTENNUL. 




close of the summer term in 1848, having occupied thii 
station with distinguished ability and universal satisfaction. 
This beautiful building commands a splendid view, having 
an extensive park in front, on which stand large stately 
shade trees. The cost of the erection of this fine edifice 
was about $100,000. 



THE ALBANY ACADEMY. 

In 1813, the Common Council made an appropriation 
for the establishment of a city academy and a meeting of 
citizens to confer upon the subject was called at the 
Capitol, on the 28th of that month. The Common 
Council gave the lot in the public square which the acad- 
emy now occupies, and also appropriated $12,000 towards 
the building, in addition to this a large amount was raised 
by popular subscription. The institution was incorporated 
by the Regents of the University on the 4th of iVlarch, 
1813. The building was commenced in 1815, on the 29th 
of July of this year the corner store was laid by Philip S. 
Van Rensselaer. The academy wai completed in 1817 and 
the school opened on the ist of September the same year. 
In August Dr. Theodric Romeyn Beck was appointed 
principal of the institution, which office he resigned at the 



THE COMMON COUNCIL OF ALBANY, 
OLD ORDINANCES, ETC. 

In 1686 it was ordered that as the meetings of the 
common council, should be well attended, that any member 
who should be absent at ye second ringing of ye bell, should 
forfeit six shillings. Among the old ordinances were the 
following. " All persons within the city are on every 
Saturday morning when the season of the year and the 
Weather will permit to clean the streets and sweepe ye 
dirte before their houses Into heaps and cause the same to 
beToaden and putt Into the Cartes which are appoynted to 
carry away the same, and that if any person suffar their 
Chimney to be on ffire he shall pay the summe of 15 shil- 
lings." In Sept., 1704, an ordinance was passed, that all 
property holders in the city should lay pavements, eight 
feet wide, before their houses and lots " upon penalty of 
forfeiting the summe of 15 S. for ye Behooffe of ye sheriffc " 
(who would sue for the amount) if the order was not com- 
plied with. 



Oct. 10, 1690, Governor Leisler appointed Johcim 
Staets, Johannes Wendell, Jan Janse Bleecker, Pieter 
Bogardus and Jacob Schermerhorn, to superintend and 
control the affairs of the government of the city and county 
of Albany. 





STOVE 

COMPANY, 

Cor, North Pearl & 
Pleasant Sts., 

ALBANY. 



Three 



West Shore Range. 

Sundred Sold in Albany the Lust Four 
Months. WHY ? 

First — Because it wa3 the most attractive range in market. 

Second — Because it gave more for the price charged for it than 
any other Range. 

Third — Because it was the only Reservoir Range that could boil 
and bake at the same time. 

Fourth — Because it was the only Range having a constant supply 
of pure air passing into its oven, and where all the air in its oven 
is in constant circulation. 

Fifth— Because of its DOUBLE GRATE, permitting a continu- 
ous fire without trouble, besides such perfection in operation as to 
cause a complete combustion of the fuel on its passage through the 
fire bos. 

We have a complete assortment of Cooks, Ranges and Parlors, 
Oil Stoves, etc. 

II^" Our Foundry is the only place in Albany where our goouB 
can be procured, and we cordially invite the public to call, assuring 
them that onr goods and prices will be found beyond competition. 



ESV-^BXiXS^SX). 3.S37. 




MANUFACTURERS OF 



SNUFF AND 



CIGARS. 



Hos. 820 & 822 Broadway, 



ALBANY, N. Y. 



THOMAS H. GREER. 



JOHN GREER. 



THE BICENTENNIAL. 



21 



YE ANCIENT FIRE LAWS. 




On Oct. 26, 1686, the Common Council ordered the 
following: " That ye fyremasters goe about and visite each 
respective house in ye city to see if their chimneys and 
fyrehearths be sufficient, and also that care be taken that 
ye ladders and fyre hooks be upon there places and? in 
repare." 

On the 6th of Nov., 1731, an ordinance was passed 
organizing a fire department for the city. The following 
persons were appointed fire masters : First ward, Isaac 
Fryer and Egbert Egbertse ; second ward, Matheys Van 
der Heyden and Frans Pruyn ; third ward, Wilhelmus Van 
der Berg and Matheys de Garmo, the first hand engine 
was bought the following year and was quite a curiosiiy at 
the time. 

On the t3th of May, 1740, an engine house was ordered 
built. In 1743 Robert Lansingh, Bernardus Hartsen and 
Michael Bassett were appointed to take charge of said en- 
gine in case of fire, they were to be paid annually six 
schepcls of wheat. On the twenty-sixth of March, 1762, 
a new fi.re engine was ordered to be purchased for the city 
from London. This engine was received in Albany in 
April, 1763. The Common Council in the same year 




purchased forty-eight leather buckets, each of the aldermen 
and the assistants were the keeepers of four buckets each, 
all ot which were numbered. Any person or persons per- 
mitting his, her or their chimney or chimneys to become 
foul with soot and the same should catch fire, were to forfeit 
the sum of forty shillings, a reward of three ponnds was 
ofFeredfor discovering a fire, every householders should have 
two leather buckets, brewers, tavern keepers and bakers three 
each, the initial letters of the owner's name were marked 
on each bucket. In case of fire or any alarm it was or- 
dained that all persons were to immediately " illuminate and 
set three or more Candles in their front windows until Day 
Light unless the fire or alarm was sooner extinguished or 
quelled." The " Fire engines and all other Tools and 
Instruments" at a fire were to be under the care and direc- 
tion of the mayor and recorder, the first two aldermen and 
the sheriff, these officials had the ranking, placing and 
directing of the people to hand the water buckets, at the 
fire. In 1773 the fire engines were located in a building 
in the north side of St. Peter's church, up to 1792 about 
sixty members constituted the firemen of Albany. By an 
act of the legislature, their number was increased to eighty, 
and in 1797 a similar act increased the fire department to 
150 firemen. 



SHAVT & BARNETT, 




832 & 834 BROADWAY, 

AND 307 N. PEARL ST., 

J^HSBJ^lSTir , 1ST. -YT. 

The Best of Material used 
in our Carriages and Sleighs, 
and all work warranted for 

DURABILITY 
and 

FINISH. 




BRADY, 

Pime Chimm mmd Jmpmm 



OLD GOVERNMENT JAVA 



Choice EITGLISH Breakfast, 



No. I BEAVER BLOCK, 
No. 12 CENTRAL AVENUE, 
Cor. MADISON AVE. and PEARL, 
No. 2 ADAMS BLOCK, 



ALBANY. 



COHOES. 



Cor. FEDERAL and RIVER STREETS, TROY. 



22 



THE BI-QENTENNIAL. 



THE FIRST BOAT THAT PASSED THROUGH THE ERIE CANAL. 




THE ERIE CANAL OPENING. 

The 8th of Oct., 1823, was a memorable event for 
Albany. The citizens were determined to inaugurate the 
occasion of the first passage of a boat into the Erie canal, 
although the entire canal was not completed. The joint 
committee for this purpose proceeded to the junction of the 
Erie and Champlain canals, north of Gibbonsville, Troy, 
to join the canal commissioners and engineers on board the 
first boat that was to pass through the lock at Albany. 

Cannon were placed on the hill near 
the mansion of General Ten Broeck 
(now known as Olcott's mansion) 
and fifty-four rounds were fired in 
honor of each county in the state. 
Major Solomon Van Rensselaer was 
marshal of the day. The procession 



marched to Capitol square where the mayor of Albany 
Chas. E. Dudley and De Witt Clinton of Albany, William 
Bayard of New York, and William James of Albany. 
The steamboats and other crafts in the river, were trimmed 
with bunting and decorated gaily. The first boat that en- 
tered the lock was the De Witt Clinton, with Governor 
Yates, the mayor and corporation of Albany, the canal 
commissioners, engineers, committees and some citizens on 
board, other boats followed, one of which was filled with 




The above is a representation of the boat the Chief 
Engineer of Rome. On Oct. 23, 1819, the trial trip and 
excursion was made by this boat, from Utica to Rome and 
return. Governor De Witt Clinton and state officials with 
ladies and gentlemen about seventy persons on board, com- 
posed the party. The boat was named in compliment to 
Benjamin Wright then chief engineer of the Erie canal. 



ladies. The masonic fraternity laid the cap stone of the 
lock, with impressive ceremonies, a bottle of sea water 
had been brought by the New York committee, and 
when the lock gates were opened this was emptied, and 
mingled with the waters of the lakes and the river. Doctor 
Mitchell of New York delivering an address, it was a grand 
day for Albany, about 40,000 people being present. 



WASSON & CO., 

ALBANY 

Roofing & Galvanized Iron 

^W O E. K S, 

iNTos. T and 9 James Street, 




GALVANIZED IRON CORNICES, 

GALVANIZED IRON WINDOW CAPS. 
GALVANISED IRON DOOR CAPS. 

VENTILATING SKY LIGHTS. 

SLA TE 'ROOFING, 

TIN ROOFING, 
CORRUGATED IRON ROOFING, 

WARREN'S GRAVEL ROOFING. 



Fit I ILl'S 

PRACTICAL 

Sieawm^ and Ga. 



iFITTEI^S 



AND DEALERS IN 



es. 



Call and Examine our Stock of 

(3- a s X^ i 2^ t "u. r 

AT LOWEST MARKET PRICES. 

HEAMG M STEAM and HOT WATER a 

Orders received by Telephone or Mail and prom) tly attended to. 

No. 10 JAMES ST., ALBANY, N. Y. 



THE BI-CENTENNUL. 



»3 




THE VANDERHEYDEN PALACE. 

This historic palace was built in 1725 by Johannes Beekman. 
The bricks in the building were imported from Holland, this house 
was noted as one of the best specimens of Dutch architecture in 
the country. Mr. Beekman's family occupied this building until 
just before the revolution, when it was purchased by Mr. Jacob 
Vanderhyden, in 1778 and used as a seminary for a number of 
years, and then used by Mr. Vanderheyden as a residence. The 
dimensions of the building were fifty feet front and twenty feet 
deep, having a hall and two rooms on each floor, it was demolished 
in 1833, ^""^ '^^ Tabernacle Baptist church was erected on its 
site. It is now known as the Perry building. 



THE RATIFICATION OF THE CONSTI- 
TUTION OF THE STATE. 

On July 28, 1788, a grand celebration and pro- 
cession was held at Albany, in honor of the ratifica- 
tion of the constitution for the government of the 
United States by the convention of New York. 
The Albany Garcetteer, a weekly newspaper, printed 
at the time by Charles R. Webster, thus describes 
the scene : On the day a gun was fired at sunrise, 
at 10 o'clock eleven guns was the signal for the 
people to assemble in the fields near Watervliet. 
When the procession formed the whole line saluted 
the constitution, Capt. Gansevoort with the Albany 
troop of light horse headed the line. Then came 
a band followed by Maj. Gen. Schuyler on horse- 
back bearing the constitution handsomely engrossed, 
then eleven citizens representing the original states, 
a large plow guided by Stephen Van Rensselaer, the 
farmers, all branches of trade and industry, repre- 
sented by miniature workshops with artisans at work. 
Then the state standard borne by Major J. D. P. 
Ten Eyck, the brewers, preceded by a dray bear- 
ing a huge butt, on which sat Master Martin Van 
Rensselaer in the character of Bacchus, with a 
silver beaker, one of the symbolic features was a 
large decorated batteau, drawn by gaily caparisoned 
horses loaded with goods, appropriate to the Indian 
trade, and having in it Geradus Lansing in the char- 
acter of a trader and an Indian sitting in the stern. 
During the banquet, the batteau made an imaginary 
voyage to the Mohawk country and returned with 
a full cargo of peltry. 



J. L. ABBOTT & SON. 

pi 

No. 91 North Pearl St., 

-A. Xj B .<^ 3sr "sr . 



185S. 188S. 

EDWARD OWDN, 

DEALEH IN 

LmES AND GENTS' 





CABINETS, 

$3.00 per Dozen. 

Cop37"ir:Lgr a, Specia.lt37", 



8®=- CALL AND SEE US. 



MILLIMBR r, 
SMALLWARES, &c., 

No. 93 North Pearl Street, 

Between Old Pemberton Buildiog and the Two Steeple Church, 



24 



THE BI-CEN1ENNIAL, 




Broadway, west side from State street to Maiden lane, 1805. 



1 Old Dutch church erected 1715. 

2 Robison's Comer, where the Museum build 

ing now stands. 

3 John Van Schaiclc's residence. 
4. David Waters* grocery store. 

5 David Newland's house. 

6 Elbert Willett's dwelling. 

7 Albany Bunk, erected about 1791- 

first Albany bank. 



The 



Sfjohn IVIaley's dwelling house, afterwards 

known as the Mansion Houae hotel, 
y Abram Ten Eyck's book store. 

10 Peter Douw's residence. 

11 B^rent Staat's dwelling 

12 Teunis Van Vechten's house, the s. w. cor, 

of Maiden lane. 

13 Richard Lush's house, the n. w. corner of 

Maiden lane, built of bricks from Holland 



LAWS, COURTS OF SESSION, JUSTICES, OFFICERS, ETC. 

In 1678 there were in the province about twenty-three towns and 
villages besides the city of New York, there were petty courts, Courts of 
Sessions and a General Court of Assizes. The Courts of Sessions were 
held in different part* of the province, one of these courts was held at 
Albany. The General Court of Assizes composed of governor and coun- 
cil and all the justices and magistrates, was held once a year in New York. 
The chief power of making and executing the laws was vested in the gov- 
ernor and council of New York. In the different towns were erected for 



the punishment of light offenses the whipping 
post, pillory and stocks. Robbers and 
burglars were branded on their forehead for 
their first offences and put to death for their 
third transgression of the law. On the 9th 
of April, 1691, by the General Assembly 
convened in New York, it was ordered that a 
Court of Sessions should be held at Albany 
on the first Tuesday in June, Oct., and 
Feb., of each year, for the increase of 
virtue and discouraging of evil doers, the 
sessions were to continue for the space of 
two days and no longer. A Court of 
Common Pleas was also ordered ro be held 
at the City Hall, beginning the next day 
after the ending of the Court of Sessions 
ann continuing two days, one judge and 
three justices, holding court. In 1791 an 
act was passed by the assembly for the 
building of a new court house and goal. 
On Feb. 25th, 1815, an act was passed 
annexing the town of Colonic to the city of 
Albany. 

The First Presbyterian. — In 1762 
Lord Amherst granted this society the use 
of the forage-house, near the main guard 
house, as a place of worship, the same year 
the city conveyed to this society the plat of 
land on the north-west corner of Hudson 
avenue and William street to build a church. 
In 1796 another church was erected on 
S. Pearl street cor. Beaver and Norton. 





itlil 

IN THIS SECTION OF THE STATE! 

FIVE IFXjOOI^S 

jEanh 26x125 feet|filled with a choice assortment of 

Fine READY-BIADE 

CLOTHING! 

For Men, Youths and Boys. 

WARRANTED AS REPRESENTED. 

iiitem lep'S-rtntnt 

Value given for Every Dollar Exitended 

at 

WILSON & GROSS', 

t THE LEADING CLOTHIERS. 

Broadway and Maiden Lane, 



THE BI-CENTENNUL. 



25 




NORTH PEARL STREET IN 1805. 

The buildings as here represented were all painted red and gave a dull 
appearance to the street. To the left and above the church on the hill 
stood the residence of Gen. Ten Broeck of the revolution, who was mayor 
of Albany from 1796 to 1799. This building is now known as the Olcott 
mansion. The most prominent as well as the most elegant of all the build- 
ings is the old " Two Steeple " church, erected in 1798. The corner 



stone of which was laid by the Rev. John 
B. Johnson in 1796; some alterations 
were made in this structure in the years 
1820, 1850 and i860. 

An old family of Albany. — Judge 
Jacob C. Ten Eyck was mayor of Albany 
in 1749, arid also at one time was judge of 
the Court of Common Pleas. Jacob Ten 
Eyck represented Albany county in the 
state assembly in 1 800 three inclusive years, 
and in 1807 was appointed county judge, 
holding the position five years. He re- 
moved to the homestead on Whitehall 
road near Albany, in 1800 he married 
Magdelina Gansevoort who was a daughter 
of Gen. Gansevoort, one of Washington's 
generals. Capt. Hendrick Ten Eyck was 
captain of a militia company at Fort 
Orange, Albany, under a commission from 
Governor Burnett, this commission was 
dated Oct. 26, 1725. 

Second Reformed church. — The 
corner stone of this edifice was laid by 
the Rev. Mr. Bradford on April 30, 1806, 
the walls of this old building are still stand- 
ing and is now known as the city market 
building on Beaver street. The congre- 
gation have a new and imposing structure 
on the corner of Madison ave. and Swan. 

1673. — In this year the settlers of 
Albany suffered greatly from a terrible 
scourge of small pox. 



CLINTON TEN EYCK, 

Soai) ail CaMle Worts. 



NEW YORK STATE 



rs 



W/\R RANTED FREE FROM ADULTERATION. 

With no fancy or expensive wrappers to keep adulteration 
from showing. 

Also, Troy LAVNDBY SOAP. 

Ill 60 lbs., 100 Cakes, to the Box ; 

Or, 75 lbs., 100 Cakes, to the Box ; with directious. 

TALLOW bought and sold or exchanged for Soap. 

BAR and PRESSED SOAP a Specialty. 

SOFT SOAP by the barrel. Sal Soda, Starch and 
Rosin. Chip Soap for Hotels, Asylums, Facto- 
ries, &c. 

Cor. Canal &> Chapel Sts., Albany, N. Y. 



AN OLD FAMILY OF ALBANY. 

Among the old families of Albany there are none more 
widely known than the Ten Eyck's. Their record goes 
back to when the Hollanders first settled at New Amster- 
dam and Fort Orange. We have the record of Conrad 
Ten Eyck in 1660, when he was assessed for some land, 
now the west side of Broadway, New York city, he owned 
property along a canal, which extended from the river 
through the centre of Broad to Beaver street. This canal 
was made by widening, straightening and planking the sides 
of a natural rivulet that led from a swamp back of Wall 
street to the river, it was years after filled up, paved and 
made into a street, a sewer was laid through the street in 
1703 from Exchange Place to Water street. In 1704 this 
geutleman was estimated to be worth $5,000, a fortune in 
those days, after his death his sons succeeded him in busi- 
ness. Judge Anthony E. Ten Eyck who resided at 
Schodack Landing held prominent positions of trust, he was 
a member of the convention in 1787, which ratified the 
constitution of the United States and was first judge of 
Rensselaer county until 60 years of age, he was also a 
member of the State Senate for eight years. This gentle- 
man was the grandfather of Clinton Ten Eyck of Albany. 
Conrad A. Ten Eyck was sheriff of Albany county, and 
was one of the best officials in Albany. This gentleman 
had the unpleasant duty of executing Strang, the murderer 
of Whipple. Mr. Ten Eyck held the office of county 
clerk for several years; he died June 10, 1843; he was a 
man honored in life and respected by all who knew him. 
This last named gentleman was the father of our esteemed 
citizen Clinton Ten Eyck of Albany. 



26 



THE BI.CENTENNUL. 




Stevenson House, 92 State stree. 

THE STEVENSON HOUSE. 

This noted mansion was built in 1780, by John Stevenson 
a rich fur trader, and within the walls of this house many a 
traffic was made with the Indians. At the time the house was 
built it was considered a wonder in architecture, it being a style 
quite different from anything in Albany at the time, it was 
known as the rich man's house. There are many of the present 
generation in Albany to-day, who remember this building, and 



some few who can still realize the interesting recollec- 
tions which have clustered around it. It was in thii 
mansion that Governor Martin Van Buren resided when 
he was governor of New York State and known at one 
time as quite a resort for the noted politicians of tho 
day. It was afterwards rented as a hotel and became 
the headquarters of the democracy. Many citizens to- 
day can recall scenes that transpired at the " Burt's 
Knot" as it was called, when a Mr. Riley catered to 
his guests. The building was demolished in 1841. 

THE ORIGIN OF YANKEE DOODLE. 

In 1777 as tne Massachusetts and Connecticut troops 
marched through Albany on their way to Saratoga, the 
old Dutch burghers had a great deal of amusement with 
them, the uniform and dress of the soldiers were of 
every description. On being asked of the patriots which 
way they were going, they responded, "going to take 
Burgoyne." But their arms and habiliments made an 
indelible mark for the British afterwards at Bunker hill. 

"See the Yankees leave the hill 
With baggernets declining 
With lop-down hats and rusty guns 
And leather aprons shining." 
The Old Capitol. — The corner stone was laid 
April 23d, 1806 by the Hon. Philip S. Van Rensselaer 
in the presence of the judges of the Supreme Court, 
the chancallor, the state and municipal officers and a 
large number of citizens. This building originally cost 
about $100,000. In 1 8 13 Mr. Horatio C. Spafford of 
the N. T. Gazetteer wrote : Among the public buildings 
the Capitol challenges distinguished attention. 




ALBANY, NY 



BOBBINS, 1886, Established, 1843. 

HATS & CAPS Seal ond Plush 

H SACQUES, 

^ j> Capes. Collars, 
z ^ nyc TJ IF IF s , 

CO 

^ &c., &e., 

^"^ Fttr Trimi, 

6LOYES&UMBRELLAS A FULL LINE, 

At Wholesale or Retail. 
No. 66 STATE ST., ALBANY, N. Y. 



• STRAW GOODS, 

LAP AND HORSE 

BLANKETS, 

Truuks & Bags, 

A Full Line. 



JOSEPH Mcdonough, 

Te Olde Booke Man, 

30 North Pearl St., 

Has Just Issued a 




ANr) 





FOR 25 CENTS. 

Filled al a DiscounI of 20 per cent. 



THE BI.CENTENNUL. 



»7 




Thk Glen House, corner of Chapel and Steuben streets formerly Parker's 
ctrpcnter shop. This house at times was an important tradrng p^^st, between 
1700 and 1812. 

ALBANY THE FAMOUS FUR EMPORIUM. 

In 1610 a number of capitalists at Amsterdam fitted out 
a sloop which sailed up the Hudson, and procured very 
large quantities of furs that were sold in Holland at great 
prices, also in 1618 several vessels arrived in the Hudson, 
and fur trading became quite general. The Dutch East 
India Company obtained a charter in 1621 under the great 



seal of the Lords States General for themjto traffic in furs 
for a term of twenty-four years, from the first day of July, 
162 1. Through this company large colonies of Hollanders 
came to Albany, and the place became quite a fur trading 
post. In 1658 37,640 beaver skins and 300 otter skins 
were shipped from Fort Orange and its vicinity. In 1723 
Governor Burnet to protect the Indians from those traders 
who supplied them with liquor to obtain their furs at low 
prices, ordered a number of houses built outside of the 
palisades for the trading Indians, who in selling their furs 
were more honestly paid. The governor stated that from 
the year 1716 to 1720 only 30 canoes of far Indians came 
to Schenectady on their way to Albanv, and from 1720 to 
1724 there were 323 which showed a large increase in the 
fur trade. In a journal kept by Peter Kalm who visited 
Albany in 1749, he says there is not a place in all the 
British colonies, where such quantities of furs and skins are 
bought of the Indians as at Albany. The merchants from 
Albany spend the summer at Oswego and trade with many 
tribes of Indians who come to sel' them goods. In 1755 
it was computed that 150 hogsheads of beaver and other 
fine fur, and 200 hogsheads of Indian-dressed deer skins 
were exported annually. 



Albany in 1827.— The part of the city bounded by 
Lydius street (now Madison avenue) to State, and from 
Hawk to Lark street at this time was an unbroken waste. 
Eagle street extended no further than the Lancaster school 
now the Medical College, there were not a dozen build- 
ings even on Lydius street from Pearl to Lark street. The 
clay banks on Lydius street furnished the citv with bricks 
for a great number of years. 



IBST-A-SLISHEID 1832. 



TREADWi:i.I.'S 

FUR. Stores, 

531 Broadtvay, Albany, N. Y., 
676 Broadivay, Netv York, City. 



T 



EXCLUSIVELY. 

Attention is called to their 



1827. 1886. 

JEWELHY! JEWELRY! 

WATCHES, 

JEWELRY, 

SILVERWARE, 




OP 

THEIR OW:^r COLORIN'O, 

Which are nowhere excelled for 

BJEAUTY OF FIWISH 

AND 

DURABILITY IN WBARIAG. 

Hbnrt Treadwell. Gbo. H. Trbadwell. 



French and American Clocks 

A LARGE AND ELEGANT STOCK OF 
SILVER PLATED TABLE WARE, 

OF THE FINEST MANUFACTURE AT 

MIX'S, 

COI^. so. ^E^^^^Ij «Sc BE-^TTEI^ sts.„ 

ALBANY, N. Y. 



28 



THE Bl-CENTENNUL. 




Riven 
Diagram ot Albany in 1665. 

THE STOCKADES IN 1660 AND 1665. 

The inhabitants to protect themselves from sudden attacks of the Indians inclosed 
the village with a fence of planks and palisades. In the spring of 1660 this work 
was completed. The diagram of Albany in 1665 on this page will show the plan 
and the stockade. Gates were placed at the ends of the different streets and guard 
houses built outside them. The expense for these defences were met by a tax of 
three guilders on each chimney in the village. 



ENGLISH AND DUTCH OC- 
CUPATION OF ALBANY. 

In 1664, the English became in 
possession of New Amsterdam, and 
on the tenth of September, Gov. 
Nicolls sent George Cartwright, 
Captain John Manning and Daniel 
Brodhead, and a body of soldiers to 
Fort Orange to demand its sur- 
render, the order was complied with 
on the twenty-fourth of September. 
The village of Beverwyck was then 
changed to Albany in honor of the 
lord-proprietor of the province. 
Captain Manning was given com- 
mand of the English soldiers to 
garrison Fort Alban). In 1673 a 
fleet of Dutch arrived at Sandy 
Hook, The Dutch Commodores 
Evertsen and Binckes, demanded 
and received the surrender of the 
English, and again the Dutch flag 
waved over New Netherland, in a 
few days a Lieut. Salisbury surren- 
dered Fort Albany, at this time it 
was ordered that Fort Albany 
should be called Fort Nassau and 
the village of Beverwyck. Wil- 
lemstadt. Nov. loth, 1674, Ed- 
mund Andros beeame governor. 



EMIL WIENERT, 

DEALER IN 

ROCHESTER 

Sliof Cases, 

STORE mm\i, 

STOOLS, 

IRON LEGS, 

SCALES, 

And a Full Line of 
GENERAL 

Store Fixtures. 

Also, Agent for the 

M Safe It Lock Co, 

677 BROADWAY, ALBANY, 




MARTIN KUNKEL, 

DEALER IN 

Witehii aii Gl@®lij 

^^ Jewelry, 

Diamonds, 

Silverware. 

Always the Latest Novelties in 




AT ALL PRICES. 
Also a. Large Stock of 

REED5& BARTON'S, and ROGERS' 

^Silver 'Plated Ware. 

ON HAND. 

683 North Pearl St., opposite Kenmore. 



THE BI-CENTENNUL. 



29 




Broadway, west side from Maiden lane to Steuben street, 1805. 

BROADWAY IN 1805. 

This view represents Broadway in 1805. The first house to the left 
was a large double house, that stood on the cor. of Maiden lane. Richard 
Lush dwelt here, and John Brinckerhoft kept a hardware store in the 
adjoining part, next was the residence of John Meades and in 1814 was 
occupied by Lawson Annesley as a looking glass store, the next house 
belonged to Martin Beeckman and occupied by Richard Dunn and Sons, 
John Jacob Lansing occupied the next, and Barent Bleecker a merchant 
prince the next, the large double dwelling next was occupied by General 
John H. Wendell, these buildings were painted in all the colors of the 
rainbow, red, blue, yellow, etc., etc., adjoining this was the office of Dr. 
Lush the next was the mansion of Dr. Samuel Stringer, and office ad- 
joining, Andrew Brown resided next and Dudley Walsh and Sanders 
Lansing's houses come next, opposite on the next corner, Steuben street 
was the stately residence of Chancellor Lansing who was mayor of Albany 
from 1786 to 1790. 



T. RoMEYN Beck. — Was born in Schen- 
ectady, Aug. II, 1791. The family were 
of English origin but so long settled at Schen- 
ectady that their descendants by association 
and intermarriage became identified with the 
Dutch population. The first of the family 
of whom we can learn was Caleb Beck, who 
sailed from Boston to England and who was 
married at Schenectady but was subsequently 
lost at sea. His son, the a-reat-grandfather 
of T. Romeyn Beck was a gentleman and 
freeholder in this colony. The grandfather 
of Dr. T. R. Beck was admitted at law at 
Albany in 1 75 1. The father of Dr. Beck, 
also studied law but never practiced ; he 
married Catharine Romeyn the only daughter 
of the Rev. Derick Romeyn, D.D., then 
pastor of the Reformed Dutch church at 
Schenectady, well known as a distinguished 
professor of theology in that church. The 
ancestral name Caleb was preserved through 
five successive generations, having only 
ceased with the death of the brother of Dr. 
Beck. The Romeyn family came from 
Holland. Dr. Beck's father died in 1798 
at the age of 27 years and left his five sons 
to the sole care of his young widow, through 
the energy, sound education, piety and good 
judgment of this mother these five sons were 
mainly indebted for the great distinction 
which they afterwards attained, especially 
Dr. T. Romeyn Beck. 




HOY &; CO., 



EST^A-BIjISHEID, 18S1. 



s 





IMPORTERS OF 

Tl/V PLATE & SHEET METALS, 

JOBBERS IN 

Tinsmiths'', Pliiinhers'', Roofers', 
Stove Dealers' and House Fur- 
nishers' Supplies, 

MANUFACTURER OF 

25 & 27 GREEN STREET, - ALBANY, N. Y. 
FACTORY, EAST ALBANY. 



GEORGE E. LATHAM, 





AND 




558 BROADWAY, 



OPP. DELAVAN HOUSE, 



« ^* 



30 



THE BI-CENIENNLIL. 




THE OLD DUTCH CHURCH. 

In 1645 or 1646 the first Dutch church was built in 
Albany, stood near Church street between Pruyn street 
and Madison avenue. This building contained a seat for 
the magistrates, one for the deacons, nine benches, and a 
few corner seats, there was also a predickstool or pulpit 
(see illustration). Fort Orange stood near the site of the 




Old Pulpit. 



church. The Rev. Dr. Joannes 
Megapolensis junior, who arrived 
in Albany in 1642, became the 
first pastor of this church, a new 
house built of oak-wood through- 
out was bought from a Maryn 
Adriaensen Van Veere, for the 
residence of the dominie, the 
price paid for the house was one 
hundred and forty dollars. In 
1649 the dominie took leave of 
his congregation to preach at Fort Amsterdam. Dominie 
Grasmeer succeeded him but he sailed for Holland in 165 1, 
The Rev. Gideon Schaets afterwards became the third pastor, 
one of his children Reynier was killed in the massacre at 
Schenectady. On the second day of June, 1656, the corner 
stone of the second church was laid with imp.essive cere- 
monies. Dominie Schaets and Rutger Jacobsen officiated, 
this building stood near the intersection of what is now Broad- 
way and State streets. Twenty five beaver skins were given 
to purchase a pulpit from Holland, this old relic is now in the 
consistory room of the First Reformed church on N. Pearl 
street. In 1683 Dominie Dellius arrived at Albany to preach 
in this church, the interior of this building was plainly fur- 
nished with benches, the quaint pulpit and balustrade stood at 
the end of the centre aisle, a chandelier hung from the ceiling 
on which were oil lamps, and brackets holding candles pro- 
jected from the walls near the line of seats, there were also 
galleries holding quite a number of people. On Sunday the 
bell was rung at nine o'clock to notify the people of dressing 
time. The old church was demolished in 1806. The pulpit 
weather vane, hour glass and some other mementoes are still 
preserved. 



GEO. C. BENEDICT'S 



26 & 36 North Swan St., Albany. 



BEST BRANDS OF FLOUR 



AND 



FlM Imito BnttoF 



.£t^ s^Eci..^ija?-2-. 



26 North Swan Street. 



CAREFULLY SELECTED TEAS, 

VERY CHOICE COFFEES, 
-^zzLd. X=*-a.re Spices, 

AT TEA STORE, 36 NORTH SWAN ST. 

We Buy and Sell for Gash. Prices Low. 



D. J. HARTNETT, 

DEALER IN 

FRESH, SALT AND 




POULTRY and VEGETABLES, 

Chapel and Canal Streets. 

TEI1.KPHONE!. 

It gives me pleasure to state that my constantly 
increasing trade warrants me in saying I am 
fully prepared to cater to the wants of those who 
fully appreciate personal attention in selecting the 
CHOICEST MEATS to he procured in market, and 
serving of the same in the most skillful and taste- 
ful manner. 

Messenger will call daily when Telephone is not 
in use. A personal call to examine quality and 
prices will meet with courteous attention. 
Respectfully, 

D. J. HARTNETT. 
Special Bates with Hotels and Restaurants. 

Branch Market cor. of Herkimer and Green Si reef. 



THE BI-CENTENNIAL. 



31 





North Pea^l ST?.r,ET, west side from Maiden lane northward, 1805. 



1 Dr. Hunloke Wondruil's residence. 

2 Dr. Woodruff's office. 

3 William Eights' house, erected about 1780. 

4 David Groesbeck's house. 

5 The Presbyterian church is figured here merely 

to show where rt afterwards stood. 

6 Sturtevant house, formerly bakery. 



with a new front next Female Academy. 

7 Dr. C. C. Yates* house 

8 Cornelius Bower's house. 

9 Uranian Hall, the great school of Albany. The 

Female Academy formerly called the Union 
School, has occupied the site of the last three 
buildings since 1834. 



THE GROWTH OF ALBANY. 

In 1789 there were in the city and 
county 662 men, 340 women and 1,014 
children, eight years later there were 382 
men, 272 women and 805 children. In 
17 14 there were living in the three wards 
of the city 11,036. Of this number 494 
were white males, 528 white females, 
4? male slaves and 66 female slaves. In 
the county of Albany the population was 
3,290, 458 of whom were slaves. In 1723 
the population of the county had in- 
creased to 6,501. In 1731 the popula- 
tion was 8,703. In 1742 in the three 
wards of the city there were 204 free- 
holders. In 1749 the population was 
10,634. In 1771 the population was 
42,706. In 1786 was the 6th largest 
city in the United States. It contained 
550 houses and the population estimated 
at 3,050. In 1789 Mr. Moore tells us 
that Albany contained about 600 houses 
and about 4,000 population. In De- 
cember, 1796 an enumeration of the 
buildings showed that there were in 
Albany 701 dwelling-houses, 131 stores, 
68 storehouses and 193 stables. -^l. 

In 1790 the population was 3,509, in 
1810, 10,762, 1820, 12,541, 1850, 
50,862, 1865, 62,613, 1875, 86,013, 
1880, 91,243, 1885, computed 100,000. 



SAFE AND PROFITABLE INVESTMENTS. 

The mortgages contained in this list are fair samples of this class of securities, which we are con- 
stantly receiving. We invite all those who have money to invest in large sums or small, to call and 
look at these securities or write for circulars giving full particulars in regard to thein. We have had 
an experience of 18 years in Western Mortgages, and we believe the mortgages negotiated by the 
Western Farm Mortgage Comimny to be as good as Government bonds, and they pay nearly double 
the rate of interest. The Capital and Surplus of this Company is over a quarter of a million. In an 
experience of eleven years not a dollar has been lost, paid for taxes or costs of foreclosure, and no in- 
vestor has been obliged to take an acre of land. 



1 for $6,000, Farm Worth $22,000 



1 for $1,000, Farm Worth $3,250 







.3,300, 






3,000, 






2,500, 






2,000, 






1,600, 






1,500, 






1,200, 






1,100, 



1,100 


1 " 


800 


(( 


2,600 


9,500 


1 " 


600 


« 


2,000 


7,750 


1 " 


500 


i( 


1,500 


6,000 


1 " 


400 


li 


1,000 


5,500 


1 " 


300 


a 


1,000 


5,200 


1 " 


250 


a 


750 


4,150 


1 " 


200 


(t 


600 


3,200 











We can by permission refier to over fifteen hundred banks, life companies, colleges and capitalists 
who have invested in these securities for many years, with the most perfect satisfaction. In all se- 
curities of this class the commission for negotiating and selling them is paid by the borrower ; conse- 
quently WE SELL THEM AT PAR. 

Purchase your Mortgages of an Incorporated Company, so that the care of the loans will not be 
thrown upon yourself, as it would be in case of the death of an individual or dissolution of firm nego- 
tiating the same. 

BRANCH OFFICE. WESTER/]/ FARM MORTGAGE CO.. 
Tweddle Building, ALBANY, N. Y. 

jyc. ^. B. bxjlxj Sc 00-, - _ _ Fi3sr^nsroi.A.iL. ^o-eistts. 



32 



THE BI-CEN1ENNIAL. 



GEN. WASHINGTON IN ALBANY. 

In June, 1782, Albany was filled 
with enthusiasm over the arrival of 
General Washington. The city au- 
thorities presented him the freedom of 
the city, the paper being enclosed in 
a gold box. The bells of the churches 
were rung, and a salute of thirteen 
guns were fired from the fort. On 
the nineteenth of July, 1783 General 
Washington visited Albany again in 
company with Gov. Clinton ; Peter 
W. Yates and Matthew Visscher 
were appointed to prepare addresses 
Abraham Schuyler and Leonard 
Gansevoort were appointed com- 
mittees to wait on these distinguished 
guests and the Common Council in- 
vited them to a public dinner, an 
address was presented to Gen. Wash- 
ington, the latter part of which is as follows : Under the 
Smiles of Providence, with a brave and victorious Army, 
aided by a great and generous Ally, you have saved America 
from Bondage, restored to her the peaceful enjoyment of 
her Civil Rights and laid a solid Foundation for the Free- 
dom and Independence of the United States. Receive Sir, 
our sincere wish that you may in the Bosom of your 
Country enjoy the Tranquility which your Toils have pur- 
chased and look forward with patriotic Pleasure to those 
ages of Prosperity which we may reasonably hope will be 
confirmed in endless succession by the Wisdom and Har- 
mony of her Councils. 




Gen. Washington. 



General Washington replied as follows : To the Mayor, 
Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of Albany, Gen- 
tlemen : I accept with heartfelt satisfaction your affectionate 
congratulations on the restoration of Peace and the formal 
recognition of the Independence of the United States. We 
may indeed ascribe these most happy and glorious Events 
to the smiles of Providence, and the virtue of our Citizens 
and the bravery of our Troops aided by the powerful in- 
terposition of our magnanimous and illustrious ally. For 
the favorable sentiments you are pleased to express of my 
agency in this Revolution, and for your benevolent wishes 
for my personal felicity, I entreat you Gentlemen, to receive 
my warmest acknowledgments. While I contemplate with 
inexpressible pleasure the future tranquility and glory of our 
common Country, I cannot but take a particular interest 
in the anticipation ot the increase in prosperity and great- 
ness of this ancient and respectable City of Albany, from 
whose Citizens I have received such distinguished tokens 
of their approbation and esteem. On the death of Wash- 
ington in 179Q Albany was in mourning for this greatly 
beloved and illustrious leader, the bells of the different 
churches were tolled and the members of the Common 
Council were required to wear crape on their left arm for 
six weeks, minute guns were fired in the city, flags were 
at half mast, and black drapery hung in the churches, a 
grand funeral pageant procession took place through the 
leading streets of Albany in January, 1800. On the 22d 
of February, in commemoration of Washington, a large 
procession moved to Two Steeple church, where Revs. 
John Bassett, John B. Johnson and the Rev. Eliphalet 
Nott, addressed a vast multitude of people. The Rev. 
Matthew O'Brien also preached a sermon in St. Mary's 
R. C. church. 



KID GLOVES. 



UNDERWEAR. 



66 



J. B. KILLIP, 

9 North Pearl St. . 



99 



SHIRT MAKER 



.A-IsTID 



liii% f ifilihii. 

OUR SPECIALTY : 

FINE DRESS SHIRTS, 



TO ORDER. 



HOSIERY. 



COLLARS & GUFFS. 



MACFARIiANE'S 

OLD DYE WORKS, 

ESTABLISHED IN 1830. 

NEW GOODS DYEDin the PIECE. 

todies and Gent's Garments of ev- 
ery style Gleaned, Dyed and 
Steam Finished, without 
Being Ripped 

FADED GARMENTS RESTORED 
IN COLOR. 

No. 24 Norton St., 
No. 80 H\iclson ^ve.. 
No. 50 Orange St., 

ALBANY, N. Y. 



THE BI-CENIENNUL. 



33 




The old Congress Hall, 

THE OLD CONGRESS HALL. 

What memories cluster around the old building that stood on 
Park Place near the site of the New Capitol. In 1815 L. Crutten- 
dcn opened it as a boarding house. In 1831 William Landon took 
possession and gave it the name of Congress Hall. In 1847 ^""^ 
1849 '' ^^^ managed by Landon and Mitchell afterwards by James 
L. Mitchell, and in 1866 Adam Blake was manager who conducted 
it until it was demolished in 1878. Mr. Blake afterwards managed 
the Kenmore, the new hotel on the corner of North Pearl and 
Columbia streets. 



LAFAYETTE'S VISIT TO ALBANY, 
SEPT. 17, 1824. 

The Marquis de Lafayette, reached Albany by 
steamboat on the 17th of Sept., 1824, and was re- 
ceived with the greatest enthusiasm and joy by the 
people. On the iith of June he again visited 
Albany. On Monday he left for Boston and on 
the first of July he was again in Albany and a grand 
dinner was given to the illustrious visitor in the 
Capitol. The following toast was given by him, 
" Albany as I have known it, and Albany as it is 
now, a comparative standard between royal guard- 
ianship and the self government of the people, may 
this difference be more and more illustrated at home, 
and understood abroad." Daniel Webster being 
present on this occasion offered this toast " The 
ancient and hospitable city of Albany, where Gen. 
Lafayette found his headquarters in 1778, and 
where men of his principles find good quarters at 
all times, whilst in Albany." Lafayette attended 
the theatre, and in one of his visits here he attended 
church, it is related that during one of the proces- 
sions in Lafayette's honor, he recognized the old 
Pruyn House, that stood on the present site of 
Whitney & Co.'s store as his headquarters during 
the revolution. 

The Fort at Albany. — The first Fort Orange 
was built in 1614 by Hendrick Christianse. There 
has often been a dispute as to where it was first 
located but the first location on the island at the 
lower end of the city is about correct. 



GOFFE, 

STATIONER! 

No. 37 Maiden Lane, 



Fine Stationery^ 

Complete Stock of Materials for Making 

Papej' Flowers, 

Birthday Cards, 
Christmas, Valentine and Easter 
Cards, in their Season, 

Wedding and Visiting 
Cards engraved arid printed. 



Terms, Two Cents per day. 



WALTER McEWAN, 

Wholesale Coffees and Spices. 

—MANUFACTURER- 
BAKING POWDER, EXTRACTS, &c., 




COR. MAIDEN LANE & JAMES STREET, ALBANY. N. Y. 



34 



THE BI.CENTENNUL. 



EARLY NAVIGATION ON THE HUDSON. 

In the spring of 1807 the streamboat Cleremont was 
launched from the ship yard of Charles Brown on the East 
river, the engines being made in England, the boat was 
one hundred ftet long, twelve wide, and seven feet deep. 
An old number of the Albany Gazette, of Sept., 1807, ^^s 
the following advertisement of this steamboat. The North 
River steamboat will leave Pauler's Hook Ferry on Friday 
the 4th of Sept., at 9 in the morning and arrive at Albany 
on Saturday at 9 in the afternoon. Provisions, good berth, 
and accommodations are provided. The charge to each 
passenger is as follows : 




Robert Fulton's Steamboat. 

To Newburgh, $3., time 14 hours ; to Poughkeepsie, $4., 
time 17 hours ; to Esopus, $5., time 20 hours ; to Hudson, 
J5.50, time 30 hours ; to Albany, $7., time 36 hours, each 
wheel of this boat had twelve paddles. The top of the 
smoke stack was about thirty feet above the deck. The 
boat had two masts, fore and aft, bearing square sails when 



the wind was fair. Her boiler was of copper and about 
eight feet long, afterwards she was lengthened to one hun- 
dred and fifty feet. This boat was afterwards called The 
North River. Between 1809 and 1813 the following boats 
were plying on the Hudson, The Car of Neptune, The 
Hope, and The Perseverance. The steamboat Fire-fly 
began running between Albany and Troy in 1812. 

In 1 8 13 there were three steamboats running between 
Albany and New York, the largest 170 feet long and 28 
feet wide, 350 tons burthen, the time consumed in the trip 
was from 30 to 36 hours. Steamboats were also running 
between Albany and Troy making four trips every 24 hours. 

The County of Albany. — About the year 1684, the 
General Assembly enacted that the town of Albany, the 
colony of Rensselaerwyck, and the plantations on the east 
side of the Hudson river, from Roelef Jansen's creek (about 
twelve miles south of the city of Hudson), and on the west 
side of the Hudson river from Sawyer's creek (Saugerties) 
to the Saraaghtoga (Saratoga). About 1772 the county was 
divided, Tryon and Charlotte, being new counties taken 
from Albany county. 

Colonel John Bradstreet — In 1758, passed through 
Albany with a force of 3,000 men, on their way to capture 
Fort Frontenac, Capt. Peter Yates and C. Van Schaick 
commanding two companies of Albany militia took part in 
the capture of this fort. 

1759. — Lord Amherst encamped at Albany with a large 
army, with which he marched towards Ticonderoga, but 
the French war was at an end. Quebec and Montreal 
had fallen, and the British held Canada, and peace came 
to Albany for a short time. 




S. J. McELWEE, 

MANUFACTURER OF 

3if T km 




AND 



PAMEOLS. 



QT Steuben. Street, 



FiaZ, OLASE Ic FLASQ, 
EIDS AND DSIVIUO OL07BS. 



IMFOBTES UHBESWEAS, 
AND &0SIEE7 A SFECIALI7. 



HENRY A. ALLEN. 




1 



mm 



< 



No. 17 North Pearl Street, 



ALBANY, N. Y- 



170K'S 
BILE trUBBELLAO i CAKES. 



IBESS SHIBT3 UADl 
TO.TIEASUBa. 



THE BI-CENTENNIAL. 



3S 




THE OLD LANCASTER SCHOOL. 

In the year 1810 the Common Council had under con- 
sideration the project of establishing a free school on the 
plan of Joseph Lancaster. In 18 12 the legislature passed a 
law incorporating the Albany Lancasterian School Society. 
The petitioners were Philip S. Van Rensselaer, John 
Lansing, Jr., Simeon De Witt, and others. The school 
was conducted at first in the upper part of the building of 
the Mechanics Society corner of Chapel and Columbia 
streets. On Monday April 5, 1817, the new school house 
(see illustration) now the Medical College and Law School 
was occupied. This building was erected by the city at an 



expense of $23,918.93. In after years the institution was 
superseded by the schools which went into operation in 
different parts of the city, under the common school system 
of the state. 

The Old Elm Tree. — In 1877 the old elm tree was 
cut down to widen Pearl street, it was said to be 123 years 
old, it has been often related that this tree was planted by 
Philip Livingston, one of the signers of the Declaration of 

Independence. 

Records of Albany. — In 1812 the docks at the foot 
of Maiden lane were called " The Watering Place or 
Steamboat Landing, near this was Hodge's dock and above 
it the State dock built in the French war, here was the 
fish slip where the " Albany Beef" (Sturgeon), was sold, 
on Quay street]were stores, dwellings and a tavern. 

The City Streets — Were lighted with twenty oil 
lamps. Milestones were placed along the Schenectady 
road to the half-way house. In March, 1785 the Common 
Council appointed a committee to report names to be 
assigned to the streets in Albany, and also a plan for num- 
bering the houses, a map of the city was ordered on which 
the name of each street should appear. What a difference 
to-day. Now Albany can boast of over 40 miles of streets, 
a large number paved with granite blocks, besides several 
miles of beautiful boulevards. 

St. Peter's Church. — In 1768 a charter for the incor- 
poration of this church was granted by Sir Henry Moore, 
the governor of the province. The second church was 
built in 1804 on the site of present structure cor. of State 
and Lodge streets. 



BOOKBINDINa 



Busiijess Stationery aijd Priijting. 

HIGH-CLASS 

Writing Paper and Envelopes, 

FOR LADIES" USE. 

CRANE'S UNRIVALLED PAPERS 

Warj's Royal Irisli Linen Papers. 

ENGRAVING. 

WEDDING INVITATIONS, 

ANNOUNCEMENT CARDS, 

RECEPTION CARDS. 

VISITING CARDS. 
The finest Slock and Best Workmanship. 

D. L. VAN ANTWERP, 

16 JAMES STREET, - - ALBANY, N. T. 



G. D. VAN VLIET & CO.. 

lv£o3:D-e37" to Xjoq^zil! 

In sums of any amount on approved real estate 
mortgages, interest at 

5 TO 6 PER CENT., 

ACCORDINa TO AMOUNT AND QUALITY. 

Mil FM MTMS, 

Bearing 7 i& 8 Per Cent. Interest, 

Principal and Interest guaranteed by the Western 

Loan and Trust Co., of Pierre, Dakota, or 

by a firm of individuals whose 

commercial rating is 

S300,000. 

The Security ,of these loans can not be questioned 
whether guaranteed or not. Mortgages for amounts 
ranging from $200 upward are constantly held by 
us and may be inspected by parties interested for 
themselves or others. 

Insurance and Real Estate Agents, 

Booms 7 <&S Tweddle Building, ALBANY, N. T. 

Q. D. VAN VLIBT. N. H. CLEMINSHAW. 



36 



THE BI-CENTENNIAL. 




The old State Hall. 



OLD STATE HALL. 

This edifice was erected 
in 1798. The corner 
stone being laid by Abra- 
ham Ten Broeck. The 
architect was William 
Sanders. This building 
stood on the corner of 
State and Lodge streets. 
In 1855 'twas demolished 
and the present Geolog- 
ical Hall erected. 

State Armory. — 
Cor.of Eagle and Hudson 
avenue was erected 1858. 

City Building. — 
Cor. S. Pearl and Howard 
streets, erected 1868-69. 




Mechanics and Farmers' Bank. 
Erected 1811, cor. Broadway and Exchange sts. 



This house was the residence of 
Robert Yates who was born in 
Schenectady and was one of the 
first justices of the Supreme Court 
of the state, in 1790 he became 
chief justice. After his death in 
1801 this house was occupied by 
his son John Van Ness Yates, 
who held various civil and military 
offices, and was secretary of state 
in 1824 •, he died in 1838, and in 1855 the house was de- 
molished. 




14 

h I 

B 

H 



o 

rH 

Pi 
i-H 
U 

o 
m 

0) 
> 







M 



« 

Q (J 

O 

> 

M 

o 

!^ 

XJl 



(ft 
H 







The Largest Stock, 

Most Complete Assortment, 

Fittest in Quality, and Stvperior 

in Finish and Workmanship, 

At the Lowest Prices. 

c3-ni.OEc:K::tTE:E?.'s, 

81 & 83 So. Pearl St., Albany, N. Y. 



The Legislature of New York. — This body held 
its first session in Sept., 1777, at Kingston ; in Jan., 1778, 
it convened at Poughkeepsie, and in August, 1779 it again 
assembled at Kingston. Governor Clinton ordered the 
senate and assembly to meet at Albany, in 1779. They 
met again in 1781 and then followed a long adjournment 
not meeting again until July 6, 1789. 

July i, 1834. — The Albany Burgesses Corps made iti 
first public parade with about fifty rank and file, making a 
new military feature in the city both as to uniform and 
tactics. 



dealer in 





And Provisions, 

Nos. 68 and 70 No. Swan Street. 



BRAN C H ES: 

33 North Swan Street. 

433 Madison Avenne. 

71 Lexington Avenue. 

ALBANY, N. Y. 



THE BI-CENTENNUL. 



37 




Old English Church and Fokt. 

THE OLD ENGLISH FORT AND CHURCH. 

In 1675 or 1676 Governor Dongan ordered a new 
stockade-fort to be built on the hill at the western end of 
Jonkers street (now State street) near the present site of 
St. Peter's church (see illustration, this page), four bastions 
were constructed, each to have room for six guns, after 
being completed in June, Ensign Sylvester Salisbury was 
placed in command. Capt. Goosen Gerritsen Van Schaick, 
Lieuts. Martin Gerritsen and Jan Jansen Bleecker were 
officers of the local militia at this time. The following 
explains the design of the exterior of the fort of Albany as 
shown on this page : i. The governor of Albany's house. 
2. The officers' lodgings. 3. The soldiers' lodgings. 4. 
The flag-stafF and mount, 5. The magazine. 6. The 
dial mount. 7. The town mount. 8. The well. g. 9. 
The sentry boxes. 11. The sally port. 12. 12. The ditch 




Interior of English Fort. 

fortified with stakes. 13. 13. The gardens. 14. The 
stockado. 15. The fort gate. This fort contained twenty- 
one pieces of ordnance mounted. This fort stood on 
State street near the present side of St. Peter's church. In 
1716 the first Episcopal church was built in this city. It 
was a stone structure and fifty-eight feet long and forty- 
two wide, it stood just in advance of the fort, in the middle 
of State street, near the present site of St. Peter's church. 
The first services were held in the church in November, 
1 7 16, and were largely attended by the people and the offi- 
cers and soldiers of the fort. Cornelius Schuyler was 
mayor of Albany at this time. In 1735 the stone fort 
adjoining the church was completed. In the spring of 
1784 the demolition was begun, the city using some stone 
for public improvements, and some churches then building 
using some of the material. 

In 1687, Governor Dongan appointed Robert Livings- 
ton collector and receiver and also clerk of the town. 



AGENCY OF 

Tie Massactelts IM Life Ibs. Company, 

W. F. WINSHIP, General Agent, 

Room 15, 25 NoKth Pearl St., 

ALBANY, N. Y. 

No Company Chartered by the State of Massachusetts 
lias ever failed. 

The Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company is one of the 
oldest life insurance companies in the United States, having been in- 
corporated in the year 1851 by a charter from the State of Massachu- 
setts, which State, by the way, was the first in the Union to inaugurate 
an "Insurance Department," thus instituting State supervision over its 
companies, throwing a safeguard around their sacred trusts, and ren- 
dering "assurance doubly sure." It was also the first State to legis- 
late concerning the forfeiture of policies of life insurance, its famous 
non-forfeiture law having been passed in 1861, and amended in 1880, 
to still further benefit the patron of its life insurance companies. 
Through these equitable provisions of law hundreds of thousands of 
dollars have been saved to widows and orphans, and the whole system 
of life insurance has been strengthened and built up. 

The form of policy issued by this company, governed as it is by the 
very just and liljeral laws of the State of Massachusetts, combines the 
elements of a savings bank with those of life insurance, thus enabling 
a polic}' holder to insure his life, and at the same time save a part 
or the whole of his premiums to use himself in his old age. Call 
upon our agents to show and explain this prominent feature. 

DIFFERENT PLANS OF INSURANCE. 

The Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company issues all 
safe and desirable forms of policies. 

All Policies are Non-forfeitable, by law of the State of Massachu- 
setts, which gives to each a definite paid-up or casli value in case of 
lapse or withdrawal. 



s! 



SHIIW I ROBINSON, 

THE POPULAR TAILORS OF ALBANY. 

Clothing Made to Order at Popular Prices. 

Suits from $18 to $35. Pants from $4 to $8 

Made at Short Notice and No Disappointments. 

By far the Largest and Most Varied Assortment of Goods 
in Albany. 

41 Washington Avenue, opp. Hfevr Capital. !| 




THE BI-CENTENNUL. 




THE OLD YATES MANSION. 

Among all the old buildings that stood in Albany there 
were none that showed more real architectural beauty than 
this mansion, this was the residence of William H. Seward 
when governor of New York State. It was also the resi- 
dence of James Kane for many years, he died April 2d, 



1 85 1, aged 80, being the last survivor of his family, there 
are mauy men of this generation, living who can look 
back and remember the pranks and sports they used to 
have (down in Jimmy Kane's walk) when they were lads. 
This illustration represented this noted residence as it ap- 
peared as late as 1864, when it was taken down. Its site 
is now occupied by the Ash Grove M. E. church. 



THE OLDEST AND 



8i Ariisiie 




mmm 




IN THE CITY IS 




# Co.'s, 



520 BROADWAY, 



Jf. W. 



M. L. CUTLER 





54-0 BROADWAY, 



ALBANY, 



N. Y. 



THE BI-CENTRNNUL. 



39 




In 1793 Albany was visited 
by a great fire destroying a large 
number of dwellings and stores 
in the vicinity of what is now 
State and James streets and 
Broadway. Again in 1797 
Albany had another destructive 
fire which destroyed five blocks 
of buildings, the total loss at 
this last fire was near $300,000 
the part of the city burned be- 
tween State and Orange streets 
and towards the dock. 



Hand ileigh of 1750. 




The Groote Flachte (Great Flat) Schenectady. — 
In 1662 Arendt Van Curler was delegated by a number of 
the settlers of Rensselaerwyck and Beverwyck to purchase 
for them in the Groote Flachte (Great Flat) as Schenectady 
was then called, a tract of land from the Indians, the pur- 
chase was made, the Indians conveying the land and signing 
instrument, with the figures of a bear, turtle and a wolf, as 
marks, denoting the family to which they belonged, this 
tract was called by the Indians Schonowe. On the night 
of the 8th of Feb., 1690, Scnenectady was burned by the 
French and Indians, there were only two buildings saved. 
Out of nearly 100 all the Inhabitants were massacred with 
the exception of about sixty persons, old men, women and 
children, about thirty were taken prisoners and carried into 
captivity, a few arrived at Albany through a terrible snow- 
storm entirely naked. The first one to give the alarm 
from Schenectady was Mr. Simon Schermerhorn, who was 
wounded in this attack. 



Antique table service, 1700. 



The Old Dutch Nuhsert Song, 



** Trip a troup a tronjes 

Dc varkens in de boonjcs 

De koejen in de klavcr. 

De paarden in de haver. 

De kalveu in de lang gras 

De eenden in de water plas 

Zo groot miju klcin poppet je was.' 



** Trip a troup a troujes 

Tlie pigs in the beans. 

The cows in the clover 

The horses in the oats 

The calves in the long grass. 

The ducks in the water-place. 

So great (happy) was my little popptt. 



The first White woman — In Albany was Catelyn 
Trico, born in Paris, who at the age of 83 under oath de- 
clared she landed at Albany in 1623, sworn before William 
Morris, justice of ye peace Oct. 17, 1688. 

The first daily newspaper " The Albany Daily Adver- 
tiser" published in Albany, was issued on the 25th day of 
Sept. 1815, printed by John W.Walker for Theodore 
Dwight, at No. 95 State street. 



GEO. I.. RUSSIXI., 




No. 352 STATE STREET, 



(Near Washington Park), 



^nd 5 3 Lancaster Street, 



'• r. 



1 



WINCHELL & DATIS, 

Direct Ivnj)orters of Foreign 

Goods, Bottlers of Fine 

Cured Whiskeys, 

Our Own Ageing. Principal Depot 

for Imported and Domestic 

CLARETS. 

Sole Agents for the well known CHASE BOURBON 

"The Milk of Kentucky." 

All the Standard brands of 

Enropeafl aM Americaii Im aid Lipors, 

FREE OR IN BOND. 

GOODS SOLD IN ANY QUANTITY, GREAT 

INDUCEMENTS TO CASH BUYERS. NO 

LIQUORS SOLD BY THE GLASS, 

Telephone. 

504 & 506 Broadway and 25 James St., 

ALBANY, N, Y, 



40 



THE BI-CENIENNUL. 




The old Vegetable Mabket that stood on the present site of Jacob & Proctor's Museum. 

THE OLD VEGETABLE MARKET S. PEARL STREET. 

^This building stood on the block bounded by S. Pearl, Beaver and 
William streets, across the street north stood the old centre market and oppo- 
site east was the old Congregational church. The building next was that of 
Mrs. Kirkpatrick, and on the north-west corner of S. Pearl and Beaver Geo. 
Young did business as a grocer. 



1661. — Brick imported from Holland sold in Albany for 
payable in beaver skins, a beaver skin was worth 25., bd. 



.16 a thousand, 



An Old War Horse. It is not 

generally known but such is the fact, 
that there is in Albany at the present 
time, a real live old war horse that at 
one time figured prominently in the 
waa for the union. This noble animal 
has quite a history, originally belonging 
to Major King of General Heintzle- 
man's staff, who had charge of the de- 
fences of Washington. At the close 
of the war in 1865 Mr. Samuel G. 
Payn of Albany purchased this charger 
at Washington, and subsequently sold 
him to Mr. E. A. Hobbs of Albany, 
who has owned him for over twenty 
years. Mr. Hobbs has used him con- 
tinually in his business and considering 
his age, which is twenty-seven years, 
is yet in good condition for a spin, only 
recently he seemed to " snufF the battle 
from afar," and took a stroll on his own 
hook, making things lively for a time. 
This glorious old white horse (though 
no white feather) is still often to be seen 
upon our streets head erect, " eager for 
the fray," as if anticipating the part he 
will take in Albany's coming Bi-Cen- 
tennial jubilee. 

The First Lutheran Church. — 
Was erected in Albany about 1672, it 
stood on the corner of S. Pearl and 
Howard streets near the present site of 
the city building. 



C. C. CRAFT, 



DEALER IN 



wimm mM'^wmm, 



MENS', YOUTHS' AND BOYS'. 



Custom Department 



Fully stocked with the 



NEWEST STYLES 

JJV THE MABKET. 

All Wool Suits made to order. $15.00. 

Indigo Blue Flannel Suits, $10.00. 
18, 20, 22 and 24 James Street, 



J. W. HINEY, 

076 BROADWAY, 
^LB^NY, ISr. Y. 



DBALER IN 




We pay particular attention to 
Repairing and Beplating. 

We are fully prepared to do all kinds of 

Igfiiisliiiii 



AND REFLATING WITH 
SILVER; -A.ISrr) O-OLTD 

And at the lowest POSSIBLE PEICES. 
Families having old ware to be replated will 
save time and money by leaving their orders at 
this establishment. Our facilities for doing 

First Glass Work are Unsurpassed. 

Please- give us a call . 

576 Broadway, four doors south of Clinton Ave. 

ALBANY, N. Y. 



THE Bl-CENIENNIAL, 



4T 



MAYORS OF THE CITY OF ALBANY. 

^ The following are the namei of the mayors of the city of Albany from 1686 down to 1885 with the terms of 
service of each. 



Peter Schuyler 
Johannis Abeel 
Evert Banclcer 
Derick Wessels 
Hendrick Hansen 
Peter Van Brugh 
Jan Jans Bleecker 
Johannis Bleecker 
Albert Ryckman 
Johannis Schuyler 
David Schuyler 
Evert Bancker 
Johannis Abeel 
Robert Livingston Jr. 
Myndert Schuyler 
Peter Van Brugh 
Myndert Schuyler 
Johannis Cuyler 
Rutger Bleecker 
John Dc Peyster 
Hans Hansen 
John De Peyster 
Edward Holland 
John Schuyler 
Cornelius Cuyler 
Dirk Ten Broeck 
Jacob C. Ten Eyck 
Robert Sanders 



1686 to 

1694 " 

1695 " 

1696 " 

1698 " 

1699 " 

1700 " 

1 70 1 " 

1702 " 

1703 " 

1706 " 

1707 " 

1709 " 

1710 " 
1719 " 
1721 " 
1723 " 

1725 " 

1726 " 
1729 " 

1731 " 

1732 " 

1733" 

1 741 " 

1742" 
1746 " 

m8 " 
J 750" 



1694 
1695 
1696 
1698 
1699 
1700 
1701 
1702 
1703 
1706 
1707 
1709 
1710 
1719 
1721 
1723 
1725 
1726 
1729 
1731 
1732 

1733 

1741 

1742 
1746 
1748 
1750 
1754 



Hans Hansen '754 " 1756 

S. G. Van Schaick 1756 " 1761 

Volkert P. Douw 1761 " 1770 

Abraham C. Cuyler 1770 " 1778 

John Barclay 1778 " 1779 

Abraham Ten Broeck 1779 " 1783 

John J. Beekman 1783 " 1786 

John Lansing, Jr. 1786 " 1790 

Abraham Yates, Jr. 1790 " 1796 

Abraham Ten Broeck 1796 " 1799 

Phil. S. Van Rensselaer 1799 " 18 16 

Elisha Jenkins 1816 " 1819 

Phil. S. Van Rensselaer 1819 " 1821 

Charles E. Dudley 1821 " 1824 

Ambrose Spencer 1824 " 1826 

James Stevenson 1826 " 1828 

Charles E. Dudley 1828 " 1829 

John Townsend 1829 " 1831 

Francis Bloodgood 1831 " 1832 

John Townsend 1832 " 1833 

Francis Bloodgood 1833 " 1834 

Erastus Corning 1834 " 1837 

Teunis Van Vechten 1837 " 1839 

Jared L. Rathbone 1839 " 1841 

Teunis Van Vechten 1841 " 1842 

Barent P. Staats 1842 " 1843 

Friend Humphrey 1843 " 1^45 

John Keyes Paige 1845 " 1846 



William Parmalee 1846 " 1848 

John Taylor 1848 " 1849 

Friend Humphrey 1849 " 1850 

Franklin Townsend 1850 " 1851 

Eli Perry 185 1 " 1854 

William Parmalee 1854 " 1856 

Eli Perry 1856 '• i860 

George H. Thacher i860 " 1862 

Eli Perry 1862 " 1866 

George H. Thacher 1866 " 1868 

Charles E. Bleecker 1868 " 1870 

George H. Thatcher 1870 " 1874 

Edmund L. Judson 1874 " 1876 

A. Bleecker Banks 1876 " 1878 

Michael Nolan 1878 " 1883 
John Swinburne June 1883 " 1884 

A. Bleecker Banks 1884 " 1885 

Philip S. Van Rensselaer held the 
office of mayor nineteen years, being 
the longest period that any mayor was 
continued in office. 

Jared L. Rathbone was the first 
mayor elected by the people. Previous 
to his third term these officers were 
elected by the Common Council. 



B. & J. B SANDERS, 

SuccesiorB to BDWIN ELLIS & CO., 

Booksellers & Stationers, 

19 NORTH PEARL STREET, 



i, j^ All® mm 

Large Assortment of Novelties just Imported. Alligator, Lizard 
Snake, Russia Leather and Plush 

POCKET BOOKS, 

CARD CASES, 
BACS ti PORTFOLIOS, 

ALL NEW STYLES 

BO)i. PAPERS, MOURNING PAPERS, 
CARDS, ETC., 

HANDSOME GIFT BOOKS. 

Engraving a Specialty. 

BLEECKER SANDERS. JAMES B. SANDERS. 



GEO. AV. ANDERSON, 

The Conf&ciiQner 

57 South Pearl Street, 

ALBANY, N. Y. 

Candies made Fresh Daily— Fine 
Bon Bons — Chocolates- 
French Fruits. 



4* 



THE BI.CENTENNIAL. 




"THE STOUBRIDGE LION." 

The first locomotive 
ever placed upon a track on 
the Western Hemisphere. 
Brought to America by the 
Delaware & Hudson Canal 
Company, from Stour- 
bridge, England, where it 
was built in the autumn of 
1828, Trial trip made at 
Honesdale, Pa., August 8, 
1829, in the presence of a large crowd assembled from 
within a radius of 40 miles. It had oak timber spokes, iron 
tics, wooden felloes, iron wheel centres, hemlock timber 
for track, with strap iron rail. Engineer, Horatio Allen. 
The Delaware & Hudson Canal Co., was founded in 1823 
by William Wurts. The canal from Honesdale to Tide- 
water at Rondout, 108 miles, was completed in 1828. The 
celebrated Gravit)' railroad over the Moosic mountains 
from Carbondale to Honesdale still in use, was completed in 
1829. The company's interests have grown into such 
mammoth proportions that it now owns more than forty 
coal mines. It has more than 200 miles of underground 
railroad in its mines. It mines nearly four million tons of 
coal per annum. Its coal unmined is estimated at four 
hundred millions of tons. Its railroad system embraces 
about 800 miles, and extends from the coal fields of Penn- 
iylvania to the marble quarries of Vermont, the iron mines 
of northern New York and into Canada. In the number 
and importance of the health and pleasure resorts on its 
line it has no competitor, and the number of tourists carried 
in its trains outnumbers those of any other line in the 



country. It is the most direct route between the metropolis 
of the United States and that of Canada, and is an import- 
ant factor in the great trunk line system between New 
England, Albany and the west. The road was com- 
pleted for through traffic to Montreal, November i6th, 
1875. The affairs of the company's railroad system are 
administered from Albany. 



Records of Albany. 

The Old Tontine Coffee House. — This establish- 
ment was located at No. 51 and 53 State street and built 
in 1798. In 1803 it was distinguished from all other 
similar houses by its perfect neatness and total abstinence 
of a bar. iVIr. Ananias Piatt was the first proprietor, after- 
wards Mr. Gregory who had no competition, no rival house 
to contend with and was enabled to make a fortune. Many 
of the most distinguished men of the state and leading poli- 
ticians visited this spot. At this house among the visitors 
at different times were De Witt Clinton, Alexander Ham- 
ilton, Aaron Burr, Doctor Mason Morgan Lewis, Daniel 
D. Tompkins, John Armstrong, Chancellor Livingston, 
Mr. Jerome Bonaparte, and the celebrated Moreau, and 
many others, all travelers of any note, and foreigners of 
distinction, in fact all gentlemen resorted at the " Old 
Tontine." 

The City Hall. — The corner stone of this building 
that stood on Eagle street cor. of Maiden lane was laid 
August 31, 1827, by Mayor John Townsend. The 
Common Council held its first meeting in this building on 
the 25th of July, 1831. The building was burned Feb. 
10, 1880. The corner stone of the new building was laid 
Oct. 13, 1881. 



^<i 



■99 



The Delaware and Hudson Railroad is the only line to 
SARATOGA, 



LAKE GEORGE, 



LAKE CHAMPLAIN, 



SHARON SPRINGS, 



AUSABLE CHASM, 



COOPERSTOWN, 



And to the Great 




The finest Mountain Resort in America. It is the only line running 

:F*"a.lz:r:La<n. SleeipirzLg: Ca^rs 

Track, Equipment and Service Unsurpassed. 

J. W. BURDICK, Qemral Passenger Agent, 



THE BI-CENTENNUL. 



43 



In 1785 the legislature passed an act 
granting the exclusive privilege to Isaac 
Van Wyck, Talmage Hall and John 
Kinney of running a line of, stages from 
Albany to New York for ten years, the 
fare to New York in the summer of 
1794 was $7.25 ; in the winter f8. In 
the winter of 1796, $10, and in the 
spring reduced to $6. In 1789 Ananias 
Piatt of Lansingburgh ran a stage to 
Robert Lewis's tavern in Albany, he 
was granted the exclusive right to run 
stages on this route. In 1796 there 
were twenty coaches on this route. In 
1793 Moses Beal had a stage route from Albany to Schen- 
ectady, Johnstown and Canajoharie, once a week, the fare 
was three cents a mile. There was also a line running in 
this year between Northampton, Mass. A project was 
also under way at this time for a line to Whitestown in 
Oneida county. In January, i 796, John Clark and Reuben 
King contracted to carry the mail by a line of stages to run 
twice a week between Albany and Boston. In 18 13 
Albany was quite a stage coach centre. The line for 
Utica ran through every day, for New York in two days, 
for Bennington in Vermont two days. In fact from 
Albany there were stages for every part of the country. 

In December, 1841, Mr. E. H. Virgil, then a clerk in 
the stage coach office of Baker & Walker at Albany, in- 
augurated the express business between Albany and Mon- 
treal. The whole distance was traveled by stage coach, 
via. Troy, Salem, Castleton, Burlington, St. Albans, Vt., 
and St. Johns, P. Q. 



STAGES AND STAGE ROUTES. 




Albany as a Stage Centre. 

Although Mr. Virgil met with many discouragements in 
his new enterprise, of which the business men of that day 
did not at first take a very favorable view, he still perse- 
vered and from this beginning was formed the National 
Express. 



Old Pearl street Theatre. — This building was 
erected in 1824-5 ^^^ opened May 18, 1825, by Charles 
Gilfert, manager. In 1839 it was fitted up and known as 
St. Paul's church. The edifice was re-opened as the 
Academy of Music in 1863 by John M. Trimble. It was 
burned in 1868 and afterwards rebuilt by Lucian Barnes, 
and opened Dec. 30, 1869. Mr. J. W. Albaugh managed 
it for several years from 1873. Of late years it has been 
known as The Leland Opera House and has been con- 
ducted by Mrs. Leland of Albany with great success. 



THE NATIONAL EXPRESS COMPANY, 

One of the Principal Offices of which is located in their own Elegant 

and commodious Building, 
Corner M^IDEN^ L^NE and DE^N STREET, 

ALBANY, N. Y. 

And operating the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company's, Rensselaer and Saratoga, 
Albany and Susquehanna, New York and Canada Divisions, Ontario and 
Western, West Shore, New York, Susquehanna and Western, Syra- 
cuse Ontario and New York, Troy and Boston, Central 
Vermont, Grand Trunk, Lebanon Springs, Boston, 
Hoosac Tunnel and Western, Bennington 
and Rutland, and other 

RAILROAD AND STEAMBOAT LINES: have their own offices in all Principal 
Cities and Towns in NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, VERMONT and CANADA; and 
making connection with otlier Expresses at New York and Jriisfa- City for all SOUTH- 
ERN rOINTS; at Boston- ibr all points KAST and NORTHEAST; at Buffalo and 
BiNGHAMTON for all points WEST and NORTHWEST; at Montreal for CANADIAN 
POINTS, offer the public 

In the transmission of Money, Valuables, Parcels and Merchandise. 



44 



THE BI-CENIENNUL. 




ST. MARY'S, THE FIRST R. C. CHURCH IN ALBANY. 

Cor. of Pine and {Barrack), now Chapel Street. 

^ The illustration on this page is a view of the first Roman Catholic church erected 
in this city, the corner stone was laid by Thomas Barry one of the trustees, on the 
thirteenth of September, 1797. A marble tablet was placed in the front wall of the 
building, with a picture of a human skull in the right hand corner and of two crossed 
bones in the left, and the following inscription " I. H. S." Thomas Barry, Louis 
Le Coulteaux, founders ; E. C. Quinn, master builder, A. D. 1798. Previous to 
the building of that church there was a society of this religious faith who at divers 
times attended services held by officiating priests in the houses of Margaret Cassidy 
and William DufFy, they adopted means by which they began to solicit for assistance 



to build the said church. The 
Albany Gazette published at that 
time, says " with great pleasure 
we have noticed the success of 
the subscription, opened a few 
days since for erecting a Roman 
Catholic chapel in this city. It 
bespeaks the tolerant and liberal 
disposition of the country, to find 
our citizens of every persuasion 
emulous in assisting their Roman 
Catholic brethren with the means 
of building here a temple to the 
God of heaven, in which they can 
worship according to their own 
consciences. The corporation 
unanimously resolved to present 
them with a piece of ground for 
the site of their church." A plot 
of ground was given by the city. 
On the sixth of October, 1796, 
at the house of James Robichaux, 
the following persons were elected 
trustees : Thomas Barry, Louis 
Le Coulteaux, Daniel McEvers, 
Terrence O'Donnell, Jeremiah 
Driscoll, Michael Bagley, James 
Robichaux, William Donovan, 
and Philip Farrell. 

During the War of 1812 — 
The citizens of Albany raised a 
fund to encourage enlistments. 



This cut represents the 
building Corner of Pearl, 
Beaver and William 
Streets, known as Music 
Hall. The entire ground 
floor of this immense struc- 
ture is occupied by Julius 
Saul for men's, boys', youths' 
and children's fine ready- 
made clothing, and is the 
largest in Albany. 

Mr. Saul opened this es- 
tablishment in September, 
1884, and fitted it up at 
great expense. His enter- 
prise has been greatly re- 
warded and to-day he is 
doing the largest clothing 
business in this city. Mr. 
Saul also has large estab- 
lishments in Troy and New 
York. 





JULIUS SAUL, 

The Leading Clothier, 

ENTIRE MUSIC HALL BLOCK. 
Cor. Pearl, Beaver and WiUiam Sta.< 



FINEST READY MADE 

CLOTECI^a 

In the World 
yOB MEN, 

FOB BOYS, 

FOB YOUTHS, 

For CHILDBEN, 
AT THE LOWEST PBICE8. 

Strangers in the City are Etpca- 

iaUy Invited to Step in and 

Examine our Good*. 

They tvill not 

be Importuned to buy. 

Don't fail to VISIT OUB 

ESTABLISHMENT w /t i',l e in 

ALBANY. 



THE BI-CENTENNUL. 



+5 




INTERIOR OF THE "OLD" GREEN STREET THEATRE. 

The|above illustration shows the interior of the first theatre erected in 
Albany, it stood on the west side of Green near Hamilton street. In June, 
i8i8 it was sold to the Baptist society for a church. In 1852 it was sold to 



a theatrical company for $6,000, and 
finally in 1865 it was turned into a pork 
establishment. Further particulars will 
be found on page 19. 

Albany, 1861-1865. — During the 
war for the Union, Albany sent thou- 
sands of her sons to defend the Nation's 
flag. The old tattered and torn battle 
flags rent by shot and shell, which arc 
deposited in the Capitol, testify to the 
patriotism and devotion of the brave 
men who fought and marched undertheir 
glorious folds, many tablets, many monu- 
ments may be seen in our cemeteries 
placed there by loving and patriotic Alba- 
nians, showing the devotion and esti- 
mation in which our heroes are held. 
Alas ! of the thousands of valiant sons 
who bared their breasts to the storm of 
fire and shell. Alas for the many who 
never recrossed their thresholds again, 
some came back wounded and crippled 
for life, many have answered their last 
roll call since. The itw remaining he- 
roes will gradually drop by the wayside, 
and ere many years the last one will have 
laid "down his arms" and "passed over 
the silent river." Albanians may well 
feel proud of her noble sons who took 
part in the late conflict, and the sacrifi- 
ces they suffered for their country's sake. 

" The noblest place for man to die, 
Is when he dies for man." 



FAIUBANKS' SCALE WAREHOUSE. 



SCALES 

OF 

EVERY VARIETY 

AND 
DESCRIPTION. 





THE OLDEST AND BEST 

IN THE WORLD. 

Standard of all Nations. 



-A-lso Dealers in 

RAILROAD, MILL AND STEAM FITTING SUPPLIES, 

mmmMMMm m mmmmmm, wm^m^ w^^wmm^ 

Steam Cocks, Asbestos Packed Cocks & Disc Valves, 
Hancock Inspirators and Vim Injectors, 

BUTCHERS and aROCER'S EIXTXJRE8. 

FAIRBANKS & CO., 382 Broadway, ALBANY, N. Y. 



46 



THE BI-CEN1ENNUL. 



ALBANY DURING THE REVOLUTION. 




North Broadway, east side from Maiden lane to State street, 1805. 



1 Paul Hochstrasser's house. 

2 House where Peter Gansevoort was born. 

3 The engraver Fairman's house. 

4 Thomas Hun's house, Patroon's agent. 

5 Store of Barent Bleecker. 

6 Ford's carpet store. 



7 Grand mansion of David Fonda, afterward 

known as the City hotel, now 463 Broadway. 

8 Market built 1791, removed about 1830. 

9 John Kane's dwelling and store. 

10 Mancius house. 

11 Old Dutch church erected 1715. 



The people of Albany believing that 
Great Britain had no right to impose taxes 
without their consent, held a meeting on 
March 21st, 1775, in the inn of Richard 
Cartwright, and selected to represent them 
at the Provincial Congress in New York 
on the 20th of April, the following citizens : 
Colonel Philip Schuyler, Abraham Yates, 
Jr., Col. Abraham Ten Broeck, Walter 
Livingston, and Col. Peter R. Livingston, 
Colonel Philip Schuyler represented New 
York in the Continental Congress. Another 
meeting was held at the market house in 
the third ward (this building stood on Broad- 
way between State and Maiden lane in the 
middle of the street). The chairman of 
this meeting was Abraham Yates, Jr., 
Lucas Cassidy was ordered through the 
streets of Albany, beating a drum, and 
John Ostrander rang a bell, notifying the 
people to attend the meeting, a large crowd 
of people met at the market house amid 
great enthusiasm. 

A committee of safety was appointed as 
follows : Jacob C. Ten Eyck, Henry I. 
Bogart, Peter Silvester, Henry Wendell, 
Volkert P. Douw, John Bay, and Gysbert 
Marselis in the first ward ; John R. 
Bleecker, Jacob Lansing, Jr., Jacob 
Cuyler, Henry Bleecker, Robert Yates, 
Stephen DeLancey and Abraham Cuyler, 
in the second ward ; John H. Ten Eyck, 



HAIGHT & CLARK, 

Pleasant St. above ISJ^ortli Fearl, 

Iron Founders. 

ALLIKINDS OF 

GRAY lEOlT CASTIITGS,:^ 

made to order. A large line of ^^^^S 

119111P nAiflTIi, 

VAEIOUS SIZES. 

IRON & METAL PATTERNS. 

taken from the wood. 

NICKEL & BRASS PLATING, 

JAPANNING & BRONZING. 



Albany, March 1st, 1886. 
Gentlemen : 

Your attention is invited to OUR CEL- 
EBRATED FIVE DOLLAR GENTS' FINE 
SHOES. They are a genuine hand sewed 
shoe, manufactured out of the finest mater- 
ials ; cut seamless, and in Opera, Derby, 
London and French styles ot toe. 

We claim for these goods superiority in 
style, fit and durability over any other sim- 
ilar shoe ever offered to the public. 

We warrant these goods to give good sat- 
isfaction. 

Thousands of customers and an ever-in- 
creasing trade are a perpetual testimony to 
their Superior Value. 

JOSEPH FEAREY & SON, 

156 South Pearl St., 
23 North Pearl St., 
651 Broadwa3^. 

The Largrest Shoe House in Albany. 



THE BI-CRNTENNIAL. 



47 




GiNERAL BoBGOYNE commanding British farces and who urrendered 
with .'■-" ;;.iij a. Saratoga to the Patriottroopi. 

Abrahamj Ten Broeck, Gerrit Lansing, Jr., Anthony E. 
Bratt, Samuel Stringer, Abraham Yates, Jr., and Cornelius 
Van Santvoord in the third ward. The patriotism of old 
Albany was awakened and hundreds of citizens formed 
themselves into companies, each company having one 
captain, two lieutenants, one ensign, four sergeants, four 
corporals and one drummer, the total strength of each com- 
pany, 64 men. The first company of the first ward was 




Maj. Gen. Philip Schuyler. 



officered as follows : John 
Barclay, captain ; John Price 
and Stephen Van Schaick, 
lieutenants, and Abraham I. 
Yates, ensign. Second com- 
pany, John Williams, captain ; 
Henry Staats and Barent Van 
Alen, lieutenants, and Henry 
Hogen, ensign. Third com- 
pany, Thos. Bassett, captain ; 
Abraham Eights and Matthew 
Visscher, lieutenants, and 
John Hooghkerk, ensign, 
afterwards there were two 
more extra companies formed 
in the third ward, officered as 
follows : John Beekman and Harmanus Wendell, captains ; 
Isaac De Freest, Abraham Ten Eyck, William Hun and 
Peter Gansevoort, Jr., lieutenants, and Cornelis Wendell 
and Teunis T. Van Vechten, ensigns. The people of 
Albany county were thoroughly aroused and many formed 
themselves into companies, the same as above. Many 
people signed a compact binding themselves under all the 
ties of religion, honor and love to their country, to adopt 
and carry into execution whatever measures might be re- 
commended by the Continental Congress. Two companies, 
of Albany volunteers had been sent to old Fort Ticonder- 
oga, which had surrendered to Ethan Allen, this event gave 
great joy to the patriots of Albany, and inspired them with 
increased zeal for their country's welfare. Burgoyne's 
surrender was celebrated by processions, firing of cannon, 
ringing of bells, &., and at night the city was illuminated. 



COMMERCIAL [GENTLEMEN'S HEAD-QUARTER . 



EUROPEAN or AMERICAN PLAN. 



American Plan $2 and $2,50 per day. 





580, 532, 534 and 538 Broadway, 

ALBANY, N. Y. 



G. C. GALE, Proprietor. 



1843. 1886. 

JOHN H. SUTLIFF, 






•H 

a 
© 

o 



Dealer in 



FIITE FAMILY 

GROCERIES! 

Fresh Meats, Vegetables, 
&c., &c. 

29 Lancaster St., 
CORNER man, 



era 

CO 



SO 
£5= 






oa 

1-3 

-a 

era 

era 



Families supplied with the choicest goods at the 
lowest market rates. 

t^^The only first-class grocer in Albany Bellicg 
at cash prices. 



48 



I HE Bl-CENTENNUL. 



Words, Titlis and Meanings. — Rens- 
selaerwyck (Wyck) means a port, or village, 
parish, ward, manor. Van, the Dutch name 
of Van means of, from or by, such as Van 
Fredcrickstadt is of or from Frederickstadt. 
Albany was called by the Dutch " de oude 
stad " and Lansingburgh first named the new 
city " de niew stad " the new city. Over- 
slaugh from over slag, a bar. The over- 
slaugh in the Hudson river near Albany where 
vessels and steamboats often ground. 

The first lodge of F. and A. M. of 
Albany — Was called Union Lodge. By a 
warrant from the provincial grand master, 
George Hafrison, Peter W. Yates was instal- 
led as worshipful master. Albany in 1766 gave 
a deed to Samuel Stringer for a plot of ground 
" on the Hill near the Fort adjoining the 
English Burying Place " on which to erect a 
lodge building. Lodge street derives its name 
„ ,,, ., D from this building, which stood on the north- 

BiLLY Winnie, 48 years ' Penny r t i i \ /t ■ j 

Post" in Albany. east comer of Lodge street and Maiden lane. 








ScENi 1830. Before the railroads were built. " Young 
Maids waiting for the ' Penny Post.' " 



Records of Albany. 



The Rev. Bernardus Freeman about lyco preached at 
Schenectady to the Dutch and amongst the Indians in 
their own tongue, he was a very able and learned man. 

August 17, 1848, a great conflagration in Albany by 
which over 600 buildings were destroyed. The loss was 
over $3,000,000, and hundreds of families were made 
homeless. The burned district was between Hudson 
avenue and Herkimer streets, and Union and Quay street. 



ERRATA. 

Page 3. The Historic City Hall — In (1776) the 
citizens of Albany commemorated this event by placing a 
tablet on the face of (this building) should read (1876) and 
(the present building). Page 6, read when for whilse. Page 
39, 1 2th line, commence new sentence at word all. 

The Bi-Centennial. — This edition of nearly 4,000 
copies belong to our patrons who have their business 
announcements herein, and copies may be secured of them 
if called for early. 






Now offer for inspection the FINEST LINE OF VIOLINS, GUITARS, ACCORDEONS, 
AND VIOLIN BOWS, ever seen in ALBANY. A large imported order recently 
receired from Europe, consisting of 



SHEET 

MUSIC 
AND BOOKS, 

MUSIC 

ROLLS 
AND FOLIOS. 



NINE VIOLINS, prices from 
TEN VIOLINS, 
TEN VIOLINS, 
TWENTY VIOLINS, " 
TWENTY VIOLINS, " 
THIRTY VIOLINS, " 
300 VIOLIN BOWS, " 
200 ACCORDEONS, " 
50 GUITARS, " 



$100.00 to $150.00 _L 



50.00 " 

25.00 '■• 

15.00 " 

10.00 " 

5.00 " 

.50 " 

].75 " 

9.00 " 



100.00 
50.00 
25.00 
15.00 
10.00 
15.00 
15.00 
25.00 



SCHIRMER, 

PETERS, 

AUGENIR, 

NOVELLO, 

LITOLFF 

PUBLICATIONS. 



I 



I 



Also a large variety of MUSICAL MERCHANDISE, from the BEST MANUFACTU- 
RERS. SPECIAL INDUCEMENTS to purchasers during the summer months. 



49 ST^TE STI^EET. 



ESTABLISHED IJf 1832. ... 

COTRELL & LEOirAUD, 



11 



»ll!lli 



Pt flJ S 



IHLj 



Jj ^ ^-''^^U^^^^U "^JJ 




Nos. 472 and 474 

BROADWAY, 

Between State street anJ 

Malto Laie, 

Sole Agents for 




ALBANY 



DUNLArS New 7ork Hats, for Albany City aod Cousiy. 
Tie most conmlete HAT and FOR store in tlie Statelof New Tori 



EUGENE DUNCAN, 



Steam Laundry 

» » » — 

All regular customer's linen will be kept 
in reasonable repair without extra charge. 

TELEPHONE CONNECTIONS. 

Dress Shirts a Specialty. 

Broadway, Cor. Maiden Lane, 

AND 

96 Hudson Avenue, 

ALBANY, N. T. 

]g^*Delivery wagon will call for goods. 



GEORGE J. GABHIEL, 

Common Sense 

mi & Skm Hilif, 

98 North Pearl St., 




II® <%« 




All BOOTS and SHOES, made to 

IFIT THE IF-EIET, 

BY A 

PATENT PROCESS. 

Any person suffering from a deformity, such as 
is caused by CORNS, BUNIONS, INJURIES, &c., 
may by calling^, see how the LASTS are fitted up 
to imitate the feet, thereby removing all pressure 
from tender parts, or filling up depressions, and yet 
have symmetrical looking BOOTS and SHOES. 

All Work Warranted, 

And every customer fitted with a new 

L ^ S T. 



STARTLING, BUT TRUE! 



One third our lives we spend in bed 

(Cheitnut). 

IlOLL.:UP°SPmG BEDS 

Are the most durable, the lightest and 

easiest to handle, and the most 

comfortable to lie on. 

However, the SPRING talks for 
itself. 

Sent on trial one week FREE. 

CloihM Wrlngen, Clooks. Bagi, Bibln, 
Albums, Tabk Soarfs, Castors, &o., &e. 

CALL AND SEE VS. 

LOYELL MF'G CO., Limited, 

673 BROADWAY. 



W. M. WHITNEY & CO. 



V - 

/3« 



ESTu^BLISHElD 1.S5S. 



Largest Establishment of the kind between New York and Chicago. Over 
Four Acres of Floor Room, and representing nearly a' MILLION DOLLARS 
worth of 



Chotae Nfom^it 



Dry Goods 

and 

Fancy Goods, 

House 

Furnishing 

Goods, 

Ladies & Misses' 

Shoes. 




ooms 



Carpets and 

Oil Cloths,- 

Furniture and 

Fine Bedding, 

Upholstery 

and 
Drapery 
Materials. 



Tbe Old Puuyn House, that stood on the preeent site of W. M. Wliif 
ney & Co.'s Store. It was erected about 1700, by Rol'ert Livinjiston, Jr. 
When Lafayette visited Albany in 1824. he recognized tie i b' ve building ns 
his hf ad quarters during the American devolution. 

The careful attention of the public is invited to the Select Assortment of CHOICE 
STYLES and RARE VALUES now on Exhibition in Every Department throughout 
this EXTENSIVE ESTABLISHMENT. Our intimate connection with Foreign and 
Domestic Manufacturers, and our own large purchases for prompt cash, enable us to place 
our gouiio -Before the public at very moderate prices. 

W. M. WHITNEY & CO., 

43, 45, 47 and 49 North Pearl St., 



^^V3^i 






LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



014 108 362 4 "^ 



